EU's Vestager says tech giants may prefer fines to compliance, cites Apple

FILE PHOTO: European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager presents the EU's action plan on synergies between civil, defence and space industries, during a news conference in Brussels, Belgium February 22, 2021. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Some U.S. tech giants may prefer to pay a fine rather than comply with antitrust rules, the European Union's antitrust chief said, and cited Apple's fight with the Netherlands' competition authority as an example.

The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) imposed a 5-million-euro ($5.7 million) fine on Apple on Monday, the fifth such penalty in successive weeks, linked to claims Apple does allow access to non-Apple payment methods for subscriptions to dating apps.