Apple Faces Huge Fines, Pledges to Build New Store in UAE

Apple’s antitrust stand-off in the Netherlands is costing the tech giant a fortune. The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the Netherlands competition oversight agency, has added a 5 million pounds fine ($5.7 million) for alleged violations, bringing the total due to 15 million euros ($17 million).

The penalties stem from a ruling by the ACM that required Apple to allow dating apps to use third party payment providers and not mandate these apps to use Apple’s payment infrastructure.

Read more: Apple Faces Another Fine Over Dutch dating app payments

Fighting millions in fines hasn’t slowed Apple’s appetite to grow.

Apple said it has renovated and reimagined its Yas Mall store in the United Arab Emirates and another store will be coming soon to Abu Dhabi.

The company unveiled the site with a barricade screening construction with an artist rendering. The artwork for the new store, pictured on Apple’s retail page, is based on pearls and pearl divers, links to Abu Dhabi’s history.

Related: Apple to Build Abu Dhabi store on Al Maryah Island

Add PriceRunner to the entities filing suit against Google. The Swedish price comparison firm has filed a complaint against Google with the country’s patent and market court seeking $2.4 billion in damages for violating antitrust laws by manipulating search.

PriceRunner alleges it suffered lost profits due to the Alphabet subsidiary’s anti-competitive behavior in the U.K. since 2008 in Sweden and 2013 in Denmark.

See also: PriceRunner Hauls Google to Swedish Court Seeking $2.4B in Damages

Meanwhile, Flapmax announced it has teamed up with Microsoft Corp. to boost the digital ecosystem in Africa through the launch of FAST, a startup accelerator.

The feature is expected to help companies building cloud tech and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled products, which will be used to help communities, businesses and governments in Africa.

Learn more: Flapmax, Microsoft Launch Startup Accelerator to Boost Africa’s Digital Ecosystem

Amazon was not without its troubles this week. The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ruled that the eCommerce giant is now considered a grocer and is subject to the same regulations as other supermarkets.

The decision means Amazon must adhere to the CMA’s rules for supermarkets whose annual sales top 1 billion euros ($1.36 billion). The code prevents larger grocers from unfairly treating their suppliers. Amazon called the decision “chilling.”

Related: Amazon Calls UK Grocer-Label Decision ‘Chilling’

Just as quickly as news reports surfaced that Meta could exit Europe over European Union-U.S. data transfer restrictions, Facebook’s parent company said it’s “absolutely not” going away.

A Meta securities filing revealed the company relies on data transfers between the EU and the U.S. to operate its global services, a trait it shares with around 70 other companies in various industries. Meta said it was required to disclose material risks to our investors.

Learn also: Meta Pledges to Remain in Europe