In April 2025, the European Commission fined Apple and Meta a combined €700 million (around $760 million) for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), marking one of the most aggressive antitrust crackdowns to date. Apple received a €500 million fine for restricting developers from communicating cheaper subscription options outside its App Store. Meta was fined €200 million for forcing users to either accept data tracking or pay for ad-free access on its platforms.
These headline-grabbing fines are just the beginning. Beyond data privacy and app store dominance, this enforcement carries major implications for the refurbished tech supply chain — especially for B2B providers working with resale, repair, and diagnostics of Apple devices.
This blog breaks down how DMA enforcement may reshape operational access, compliance obligations, and international trade standards — and why smart refurbishers should act now.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA), enacted in March 2024, is designed to regulate dominant digital platforms, known as "gatekeepers," ensuring competition, transparency, and interoperability across the EU digital ecosystem.
In Apple’s case, prohibiting developers from directing users to cheaper alternatives outside the App Store was deemed anticompetitive. Meta’s “consent or pay” model was found to violate GDPR-adjacent expectations on informed user consent.
These fines are not just symbolic — they reflect the EU’s intent to set new standards for platform behaviour, including indirect access for third-party service and repair ecosystems.
Apple’s closed ecosystem has long made life harder for refurbishers:
With DMA pressure now forcing Apple to adjust its practices, refurbishers may soon see benefits such as:
This could improve operational efficiency and drive confidence in refurbished Apple products, especially for enterprise and institutional buyers.
United States:
Still relatively unregulated when it comes to platform interoperability, but Right to Repair momentum is growing at the state level. B2B refurbishers may face increasing pressure to align with EU standards if exporting overseas.
Europe:
Clearly setting the pace for digital compliance frameworks. Even non-EU-based refurbishers working in Europe will need to meet these evolving standards.
Asia-Pacific:
Japan and South Korea are moving toward stronger regulation, but refurbishment businesses often enjoy better access to OEM repair parts and tools. Blackbelt360 is represented in Japan by Ayane Yamanaka, supporting local partners navigating this changing landscape.
At Blackbelt360, we provide B2B tech providers with the tools they need to remain compliant, efficient, and internationally competitive:
Our PC Wipe & Diagnostics platform is built to adapt to regulatory change — giving refurbishers confidence in a more transparent ecosystem.
The EU’s €700 million fines are a warning shot for Big Tech — and a clear signal to the refurbishment industry that transparency, compliance, and interoperability are no longer optional.
Refurbishers, resellers, and 3PLs that invest early in diagnostics, certification, and platform compatibility will stand to benefit.
Blackbelt360 is here to help you succeed in the post-DMA era. Request a demo to learn how our platform supports smarter, more compliant refurbishment workflows.
To see how our platform meets the highest standards in data protection and operational accreditation, visit our Compliance & Accreditation Hub.