Apple has again been fined an additional five million euros by The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) for failing to satisfy the requirements it set to allow third-party payments for dating apps on the App Store. The 5 million euros ($5.65 million) brings Apple’s total penalty to 20 million euros ($22.61 million).
Dutch regulator calls Apple’s new App Store policies ‘unreasonable’
In a press release, the ACM expressed its dissatisfaction with Apple’s requirement for developers to create a separate version of their app in the Netherlands if they want to use a third-party payment method within the app or link users away from the app.
The ACM says “the revised conditions that Apple has imposed on dating-app providers are unreasonable, and create an unnecessary barrier.” Since the policy requires a new app to be submitted rather than allowing developers to modify existing apps, the ACM finds it an “unreasonable condition that is at odds with the requirements that Apple had set out.”
It is thought that the measure negatively impacts dating app providers by costing time, effort, and money to develop a new app. “In addition, ACM has doubts about several other elements of the revised conditions,” the regulator says.
The ACM will continue to fine the Cupertino tech giant five million euros per week like it has since January 15 until it will the company is in full compliance with its order.
Earlier this month, Apple revealed that it would charge a 27% commission fee for developers using alternative payment methods for Dutch dating apps in place of its in-app purchase system in the Netherlands.
Under Apple’s latest measure, developers would be able to use allowed to use a third-party payment system within the app or include an in-app link directing users to the developer’s website to complete a purchase. If developers choose to use third-party payment systems in their apps or use a website, they would be responsible for “refunds, purchase history, subscription management” and the collection and remittance of any applicable taxes.
Read more:
