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Not when they have all that cash in Ireland.
Yes, if you have been fined in Ireland. But if you are fined in US, even if you pay in cash from Ireland probably you have to account that cost in US. But I'm not an expert of IAS/IFRS so I leave this topic to the experts.
 
The EU has found a way to add to their coffers. Apple, or any company, does not pay the fines. The customers do through increased prices. Sure people don’t have to buy the product, but they will. Then bitch at Apple for the price being too high. It is past time for one of these companies targeted by the EU to tell the EU to put it where the sun doesn’t shine. Most of the laws are passed by politicians with VCRs still flashing 12:00 as their understanding of technology stopped with a rotary dial phone.
The simple way to avoid adding to the 'EU coffers' is to COMPLY WITH THE LAW.

This is not about the money - it's about trying to force compliance with the law. You may think the law is stupid, but unless you live in the EU you don't get a say.
 
Meta's response basically boils down to "we can't provide a good service if we aren't allowed to violate our user's privacy at every turn of the way".
Meta offers a way to not be tracked on the EU that priced in such a way that Meta doesn’t break even by a long shot. But that’s not good enough for the EU. The EU is demanding something that’s impossible. “The same service for free with unpersonalized ads” is literally impossible. Advertisers don’t want unpersonalized ads! Which means the EU is practically forcing Meta to give its service away for free.

And again, I am not a fan of Meta. But that’s ridiculous.

Please provide evidence.
I already did. If you can’t see how that’s corrupt then that’s on you.

The simple way to avoid adding to the 'EU coffers' is to COMPLY WITH THE LAW.

This is not about the money - it's about trying to force compliance with the law. You may think the law is stupid, but unless you live in the EU you don't get a say.
I agree Apple should comply with the law, even if it’s a bad and stupid law, which the DMA most certainly is. But Apple would argue they are complying and the EU is not recognizing that compliance, or asking for things that go beyond what the law says. They should have the right to appeal that decision, and it sounds like they are.
 
People in the EU are able to download apps from anywhere, right? Apple will have to decide if maintaining an App Store in the EU is worth their investment. If allowing developers to use their platform to deliver apps and advertise/steer customers toward purchasing elsewhere doesn't prove to be profitable for Apple, then they'll move on.
 
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Meta offers a way to not be tracked on the EU that priced in such a way that Meta doesn’t break even by a long shot. But that’s not good enough for the EU. The EU is demanding something that’s impossible. “The same service for free with unpersonalized ads” is literally impossible. Advertisers don’t want unpersonalized ads! Which means the EU is practically forcing Meta to give its service away for free.

And again, I am not a fan of Meta. But that’s ridiculous.

Then don’t operate in the EU.
 
Because the user can't know who controls those payment methods. There are a lot of scammers on the internet just waiting to make an app that basically lures people into their payment details stealing apps.
Just like you can't know who controls the payment methods for your water bill, your pizza delivery, your monthly Netflix subscription or your point-of-sale purchase of your morning coffee. Heck, if you're in the US, you're complaining about "controlling payment methods" while still living in the only country where people hand their credit card to their server to swipe on some out-of-sight POS machine in a restaurant. Online payments existed years before Apple got into the online services business and scams still exist on their own platform.
 
I already did. If you can’t see how that’s corrupt then that’s on you.

You haven’t provided anything. Certainly no evidence.
You seem to claim that the second highest court has primacy over the high court which is just bizarre.

For the record I voted for Brexit so I’m no fan of the EU, I do however understand the rule of law.
 
Then don’t operate in the EU.
If the EU wanted to ban ad tracking they should have banned ad tracking. But nothing in the DMA says having free with tracking or paid without tracking is illegal. It’s the interpretation of a regulator who doesn’t understand what they’re regulating. So Meta should fight it.

If the courts agree with the regulators then of course Meta will have a decision to make. But until then, Meta should absolutely fight it.
 
If the EU wanted to ban ad tracking they should have banned ad tracking. But nothing in the DMA says having free with tracking or paid without tracking is illegal. It’s the interpretation of a regulator who doesn’t understand what they’re regulating. So Meta should fight it.

If the courts agree with the regulators then of course Meta will have a decision to make. But until then, Meta should absolutely fight it.

That’s absolutely fair.
 
You haven’t provided anything. Certainly no evidence.
You seem to claim that the second highest court has primacy over the high court which is just bizarre.

For the record I voted for Brexit so I’m no fan of the EU, I do however understand the rule of law.
I look forward to your support of the US taxing BP’s profits in Canada.
 
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Just like you can't know who controls the payment methods for your water bill, your pizza delivery, your monthly Netflix subscription or your point-of-sale purchase of your morning coffee. Heck, if you're in the US, you're complaining about "controlling payment methods" while still living in the only country where people hand their credit card to their server to swipe on some out-of-sight POS machine in a restaurant. Online payments existed years before Apple got into the online services business and scams still exist on their own platform.

- "water bill"
Actually here in Europe you do. This goes trough a part of the government.

- "pizza delivery"
Yes you do, the company that makes the pizza. If you trust them enough to eat their pizza you trust them enough with your money. Also you can often pay them in cash.

- "your monthly Netflix subscription"
Yes, Netflix does.

- "point-of-sale purchase of your morning coffee"
Same as with the pizza delivery, you know exactly who. The person or company where you buy it from. Often in cash, so they don't even see your details.

But who controls the payment info of a random mobile game created in some random country where you have never been and most likely will never go to? And don't speak the language of? Yeah... that's going to be difficult.
 
I agree Apple should comply with the law, even if it’s a bad and stupid law, which the DMA most certainly is. But Apple would argue they are complying and the EU is not recognizing that compliance, or asking for things that go beyond what the law says. They should have the right to appeal that decision, and it sounds like they are.
Of course they have the right to appeal. It is always possible mistakes in interpretation were made. Judicial mistakes happen all the time - that's why there are appeals processes. That's why there is such a furore over deporting people from the US without due process.

But arguing that the law is stupid, or shouldn't be there is pointless - it is there, so comply or face fines. If you're in the EU lobby your European Parliament member. If not, we'll then it's just a cost of doing business in the EU.
 
I look forward to your support of the US taxing BP’s profits in Canada.
I believe all large corporations should pay fair tax in the regions from where the profits are made.
I’m not sure why the US would get tax for profits made in Canada.
 
EU politicians of course
Nonsense. EU politicians don’t earn commission on fines from action.
Look what Apple did when the EU demanded that Apple should offer 3-year warranty. Apple increased the prices in the EU due to that.
There is no three-year statutory warranty in the EU and the E.U. didn’t demand it.
What are you talking about?
 
If you're not a EU citizen and you're not Apple, the EU doesn't owe you any explanation.
My brother is an EU citizen, are you ok if he asks for it on my behalf?

I mean, sure they don’t owe it to me, but it would certainly be nice from a good government perspective to explain why you’re fining someone half a billion Euros in more detail than a press release.

And for the record, for all I know they have, I just haven’t found it yet.
 
You may think the law is stupid, but unless you live in the EU you don't get a say.
Very true. And pleased I don't.

As for thinking the laws are stupid, I can think that whether I live in the EU or not. I think many of the laws in other countries are stupid. Many are based on greed from politicians looking to raise money that can be wasted on pet projects. It is easier to fine, to impose fees, than it is to raise taxes.
 
My brother is an EU citizen, are you ok if he asks for it on my behalf?

I mean, sure they don’t owe it to me, but it would certainly be nice from a good government perspective to explain why you’re fining someone half a billion Euros in more detail than a press release.

And for the record, for all I know they have, I just haven’t found it yet.
I'm sure it is 😀

I'm pretty sure the interested parties (not merely the curious ones) got a more detailed explanation. I'm not sure, but feel reasonably confident that the full decision will be published in good time in order to allow others to learn the reasoning and avoid the same pitfalls. If Apple appeal, it will all be heard in Court anyway.
 
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Very true. And pleased I don't.

As for thinking the laws are stupid, I can think that whether I live in the EU or not. I think many of the laws in other countries are stupid. Many are based on greed from politicians looking to raise money that can be wasted on pet projects. It is easier to fine, to impose fees, than it is to raise taxes.

Not really these fines across 27 nations don’t make a difference and the companies could just comply so there’s no guaranteed income.
 
Because the user can't know who controls those payment methods. There are a lot of scammers on the internet just waiting to make an app that basically lures people into their payment details stealing apps.
Consumers have been making online purchases for decades now.
If it’s because they want apps to be able to advertise it’s cheaper in the App Store description or if Apple isn’t allowed to get a commission from a link in the app, then that’s overreach.
While I agree with the App-Store description, charginga commission on in-app links is overreach.

The App Store description is the equivalent of on-shelf advertising in a supermarket.
But once a consumer has purchased and taken home a product, it’s between the manufacturer and the consumer.
When I buy a printer and subsequently subscribe for delivery of toner/ink cartridges from my own home, that’s between the printer manufacturer and me. The supermarket or Best Buy does not charge 30% commission on it.
 
>Fascist EU police state enforces tariffs on US technology services

Fixed that for you
Given the current political situation in the US, I'd be wary of throwing the word fascist about.

EU democracy may be imperfect, but it's functioning, and many of it's policies are aimed at protection of the consumer rather than business interests. The DMA is an example of that.
 
Consumers have been making online purchases for decades now.

Yes, and have been scammed online for the same amount of time. Your point being..?

People get scammed online daily, and I'm happy that Apple created a solution that protects their customers from these scams. Sure it also helps them, but for me that's extra. If I have an issue with an in-app payment, I can contact Apple and they will either contact the developer and send me their response and/or they will repay me.

So I know who controls my details and the money I spend: Apple. And Apple, to me, is a trustworthy company. Some random app publisher is not.
 
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