Apple and Meta Busted! EU Wields the Silver Sword of Regulation!

Toss a Euro to Your Witcher Oh Valley of Plenty!

Alright Roach settle down. News from the Continent. Seems those blokes in the European Union have been busy. They've gone and fined Apple a hefty 500 million euros. That’s a lot of coin even for a Witcher who’s seen his share of monster payouts. Apparently Apple wasn’t playing nice with their App Store rules. Something about not letting developers tell folks about cheaper options outside the walled garden. Sounds like a griffin guarding its hoard if you ask me.

Apple's Rotten Core?

The EU Commission claims Apple failed to comply with 'anti steering' obligations under the Digital Markets Act. Basically they're saying Apple needs to let developers freely inform customers of alternative offers outside its App Store. Seems fair enough. Even I a humble Witcher know that a free market is a healthy market. Nobody likes a monopoly unless it's for a good gwent deck perhaps? Apple predictably went silent when asked for comment. Cowards.

Meta's Metamorphosis: From Social Butterfly to Data Hungry Ghoul

But wait there's more! Meta that other beast in the digital forest got hit with a 200 million euro fine. The EU Commission found that they were forcing users to share their data or pay for an ad free service. So another 'lesser evil' arises huh? You either give them your soul or your coin makes you wonder what is 'the lesser evil'? I’ve seen this before. Choices choices… always with the bloody choices.

Pay to Play? More Like Pay to Prey!

Seems Meta started offering a paid subscription tier for Facebook and Instagram last November. Now I'm no mage but even I can see through that veil. Pay up or get bombarded with ads? Sounds like a contract with a fiend to me. Though some may say 'Evil is Evil Stregobor is evil less evil greater evil it's all the same'. I beg to differ this reeks of greed.

The American Response: A Whimper Not a Roar

Joel Kaplan Meta's chief global affairs officer threw a bit of a tantrum. He claims the EU is handicapping American businesses while letting Chinese and European companies run wild. 'This isn't just about a fine; the Commission forcing us to change our business model effectively imposes a multi billion dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service'. Inferior? Is that what they are admitting?! He also argues that restricting personalized advertising hurts European businesses. Well Kaplan welcome to the Path. Sometimes you’ve got to make tough choices. Like deciding which monster to slay first.

The Witcher's Verdict: Justice… of Sorts

So there you have it. Two giants brought to their knees at least for a moment. Will they learn their lesson? Probably not. But it’s good to see someone trying to keep them in check. Now if you’ll excuse me I have a contract. A particularly nasty noonwraith is making life difficult for a village. Time to earn some coin. 'Wind's howling' so I better get a move on.