According to the latest report, Apple faces a further fine of 5 million euros in the Netherlands for failing to adequately meet recently mandated dating apps to use third-party payment systems.
To date, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has fined Apple 5 million euros every week, bringing the total to 45 million euros. Therefore, Apple will be fined again on March 28, when it will reach the threshold of 50 million euros.
Join tip3x on Telegram
ACM initially said it planned to fine Apple 5 million euros per week until the cumulative fines reached 50 million euros, but it now appears that the total may exceed that figure.
Moreover, subsequent fines after the 50 million euro total may be higher, but the specifics have not been disclosed, so we will also pay attention to how this situation will develop in the future.
Apple had previously said that the purchase commission for using a third-party payment system would be reduced from the standard 30% to 27%, but ACM was not satisfied.
To reduce the cut, Apple requires developers to maintain separate app binaries for apps that use third-party payments and requires developers to submit monthly sales records in order to track applicable commissions.
The ACM is unhappy with Apple’s decision to force the use of its own in-app purchase system or an alternative payment system, saying dating apps must be able to offer both options, leading to the current slew of fines.
Furthermore, Apple has already opposed the ACM order and filed another proposal this week to block the fine. Apple denies “it has a leadership position in the market”. The ACM said today that Apple’s latest offer did not fully comply with the order, so the fine will continue.
The European Union formally agreed on Friday on the rules of its Digital Markets Act, which would force Apple and Google to allow alternative payments and third-party app stores on iOS in Europe. These regulations will go into effect in October, and I don’t know how Apple will decide then.
