In the Netherlands, the Authority for Consumers and Markets found that Apple's App Store payment policy violated Dutch competition law by not allowing dating apps to offer users alternative payment options.
The conditions that apply to dating app providers were unreasonable according to a decision published on Christmas Eve. Apple was ordered to allow dating app developers to offer users other payment options inside and outside the app. If Apple doesn't comply with the decision within two months, it could be fined up to $56.5 million.
According to a report by the Associated Press, the ACM started looking into Apple's in-app payment policy in 2019. The company requires developers to use its in-app payment system, which forbids them from linking or directing users to alternative payment methods, and takes a cut of between 15% and 30% of every purchase. Over the course of the investigation, the scope was reduced to focus on dating apps.
Match Group, which owns popular dating apps such as Plenty of Fish, is one of the biggest players in the sector. Match Group said that Apple's policies were making it hard for it to communicate with its customers.
In the announcement of the decision, the board chairman said that protecting people and businesses against abuse of market power in the digital economy was one of the most important duties of the regulator.
Apple takes advantage of the dependency some app providers have on the App Store. Snoep said that Apple has special responsibilities because of its dominant position. Apple needs to take the interests of app providers seriously and set reasonable conditions. We are forcing Apple to do that.
The U.S. has been scrutinizing Apple's App Store payment policy. A new South Korean law went into effect in September that banned Apple and Google from requiring developers to use their in-app payment systems.
Apple and Japan's competition regulator have an agreement over "reader apps," or apps that offer content subscriptions. Under the agreement, Apple will allow developers of these apps to include a single external link to an alternative payment option.
In the US, Apple is defending its App Store payment policy. The judge in the case ruled against Apple and said it would have to allow developers to use buttons or external links to point users to other payment options outside the App Store. Apple didn't have to give developers the ability to offer alternative payment options yet because it was granted a delay for compliance.
The App Store is a great place for app developers to make money because it is a safe and trusted place for users, according to an Apple spokesman. The company has appealed the decision of the regulators, which said that Apple has a dominant position in the Netherlands.
The company disagrees with the order and has filed an appeal. Apple does not have a dominant position in the market for software distribution in the Netherlands, has invested tremendous resources helping developers of dating apps reach customers and thrive on the App Store, and has the right under EU and Dutch law to charge developers of these apps a fee for all the services and technologies
Gizmodo reached out to Match Group on Sunday to inquire about the decision but did not receive a response by the time of publication. If we hear back, we will make sure to update this article.
