Apple fights €1.8 billion EU fine

Apple is appealing a €1.8 billion fine from the European Union, which accused the tech giant of blocking information about cheaper music streaming services.

The appeal was filed with the EU's General Court in Luxembourg on May 16, the court confirmed on Tuesday.

In March, the European Commission fined Apple following a complaint by Spotify. The Commission said Apple stopped app developers from telling users about cheaper music subscriptions outside the App Store. This is the first antitrust fine Apple has faced from the EU.

Apple said it would challenge the fine and pointed to a statement from March claiming EU regulators found no evidence of consumer harm. The company declined further comment on the appeal.

A Commission spokesman said Brussels is ready to defend its decision in court but offered no comment on the appeal.

This fine is part of ongoing legal battles between Apple and the Commission. Another case involves a €13 billion back tax order to Ireland, which is currently under review by the EU's highest court.

Apple is also critical of the EU's new Digital Markets Act, designed to regulate big tech companies. The law aims to ensure fair competition but Apple argues it risks user privacy and security. The Commission launched its first investigation under this law against Apple in March.