The Dutch competition authority has fined Apple 5 million euros. The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) announced on Monday that Apple has not met the requirements for the integration of alternative payment methods in dating apps. For each additional week in which Apple does not comply with the decision, the company has to pay a further 5 million euros in fines – up to a maximum of 50 million euros.
Apple is promising new payment interfaces
After an investigation, the regulatory authority decided last fall that Apple apps from this category must allow the integration of direct payment options. Apple was apparently able to temporarily block the ACM’s decision with an injunction, but was then forced to implement it by mid-January. Shortly before the deadline, Apple presented two interfaces that make it possible for the first time to integrate external or alternative in-app payment services. The group emphasized that purchases billed via this would also be subject to a commission of an as yet undisclosed amount.
According to the ACM, Apple must now make adjustments: So far, providers of dating apps can only express an “interest” in the new payment interfaces, but not yet use them, the regulatory authority complains. Apple has also set up “several barriers”, so providers have to decide whether they want to offer an external or internal payment option – both are not possible. “It’s not allowed,” officials said. Whether ACM is also bothered by Apple’s commission for externally billed purchases remains unclear for the time being. Apple has not yet commented on the matter again. Most recently, it was said that they did not agree with the order and had appealed.
Apple’s controversial in-app payment requirements
Sales of digital content in apps have always had to be settled via Apple’s in-app purchase interface, which means that the company automatically retains a commission of up to 30 percent. This requirement is classified by the ACM as anti-competitive. The Match Group, which operates several dating apps, including Tinder, is up in arms against the app store rules – according to its own statements, it pays half a billion US dollars in commissions to Apple every year.
(lbe)