ACM fines Apple for unreasonable demands on dating apps
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets, ACM, has again fined Apple 5 million euros. The regulator believes that the company makes unreasonable demands on dating apps that want to use their own payment system.
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ACM fines Apple another 5 million
The ACM has again fined Apple 5 million euros, bringing the counter to 20 million. The watchdog ruled in January that the tech giant must allow dating apps to use alternative payment systems outside the App Store.
Apple seemed to comply with the requirement, but ACM remains dissatisfied with the way in which the company is implementing it. “Apple’s modified terms and conditions for dating app providers are unreasonable and create an unnecessary barrier,” reads a new publication from the regulator.
The main objection is that dating apps have to make a brand new version of their app. They can therefore not simply modify the existing version and upload it in the App Store. As a result, the apps have to incur high costs to be able to use their own payment system. This method is also disadvantageous for users. They then have to download the app again.
Whether apps get along much if they can use their own payment system is also highly questionable. Apple demands a 27 percent commission anyway. For payments via the App Store, this is often 30 percent.
Apple’s war chest is very deep
It now seems that Apple is not taking this matter very seriously. ACM can increase the fine even further, but there is a maximum of 50 million euros. A pittance for a company that makes billions every month.
Apple is also appealing against ACM’s decision. The tech giant says it has invested a lot of money in its digital environment and believes that compensation should be paid in return.
