Tinder owner takes on Apple in India for ‘monopolistic behavior’

Match Group, the company that owns the dating app Tinder, has decided to take on Apple, this time in India, accusing the iPhone maker of having a “monopolistic behavior”.

According to Match, Apple’s behavior restricts the innovation and development of app developers who offer digital services by imposing the use of its proprietary system of in-app purchases and tariffs. “excessive”. Apple takes up to 30% commission on each transaction. “Apple is therefore taking advantage of its dominant position on iOS with the App Store to promote the exclusive use of its own payment solution”laments Mark Buse, head of global government relations for Match, in a document relayed by Reuters.

So far, neither Apple nor India’s Competition Commission has responded to questions from Reuters. Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps in the country, accounting for around 51% of consumer spending on the top five dating apps during the second quarter of this year, according to data from Sensor Tower.

This case is reminiscent of what happened in the Netherlands. Dutch authorities had demanded that Apple allow dating apps to offer third-party payment options. To see if a similar scenario will arise in India. Note that the other categories of applications are not concerned here.