Here we go again. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has fined Apple for the ninth time for not meeting requirements for alternative payment systems for dating apps.
The ACM says Apple has failed to satisfy the requirements set by regarding payment systems for dating-app providers. The organization says it “has come to this conclusion following an investigation into Apple’s statements of January 15, 2022.” This means that Apple now has to pay ACM the first penalty payment of 5 million euros.
The organization says Apple must adjust its conditions for access to the Dutch App Store for dating-app providers. In the App Store, dating-app providers must also be able to use payment systems other than Apple’s payment system. In addition, dating-app providers must have the ability to refer to payment systems outside of the app.
What’s the problem?
The ACM says Apple has failed to satisfy the requirements on several points. To wit: The most important one is that Apple has failed to adjust its conditions, as a result of which dating-app providers are still unable to use other payment systems. At the moment, dating-app providers can merely express their ‘interest’. In addition, Apple has raised several barriers for dating-app providers to the use of third-party payment systems. That, too, is at odds with ACM’s requirements. For example, Apple seemingly forces app providers to make a choice: either refer to payment systems outside of the app or to an alternative payment system. That is not allowed. Providers must be able to choose both options.
Apple’s response
Apple has repeatedly appealed the ACM’s order, arguing that alternative payment systems in the App Store pose privacy and security risks for customers. Plus, in January the tech giant said it would comply by reducing its commission from 30% to 27%. The ACM says that’s not good enough.
Simple No more Dutch dating apps