Both have a point, but the fine feels symbolic. And while half a billion euros might sound like a jaw-dropping penalty, it’s actually pretty mild compared to what the EU has thrown at other tech giants. Google, for example, was hit with multiple multi-billion euro fines over the years and former EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager wasn’t shy about handing out tough punishment.So why was Apple’s fine relatively small? Insiders say it’s partly because the violations were short-lived and partly because the EU seems more focused on pushing companies to comply rather than just throwing huge numbers at them. There’s also some sensitivity around political tensions, like the trade tariffs that have been floating around under Trump’s administration.Apple’s appeal could drag out for months, maybe even years and there’s no guarantee the company will win. But this fight is about more than just one fine – it’s about how Apple, and other Big Tech firms, operate in one of the world’s strictest digital markets.Whether Apple manages to overturn the ruling or not, the message from the EU is clear: play by the rules or pay up.