Apple has been slapped with another €5 million fine by Dutch regulators for failing to allow software application makers in the Netherlands to use non-Apple payment methods for dating apps listed in the company’s App Store. The Authority for Consumers and Markets in the Netherlands is holding on to its plans to charge Apple a €5 million fine every week after Apple missed a January 15th deadline to address antitrust concerns around the App Store.
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Apple faces €5 million fine weekly in App store dispute
Apple announced earlier this month that it would allow developers of dating applications in the Netherlands to use alternative payment systems. To which, the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets published its own press release, saying that Apple’s announcement fails to satisfy the requirement set forth by the competition commission. The ACM said that Apple must actually launch the option for developers of dating applications in the Netherlands to use alternative payment systems in order to be in compliance with the ruling.
Dutch Watchdog said in a statement; “ACM has fined Apple €5 million and ordered the company to resolve these issues within a week. If Apple misses that deadline, it will be fined an additional €5 million for every week it continues to fail to meet the ACM’s standards up to a maximum of €50 million.”
Apple charging a commission of up to 30% on all payments
Apple is under pressure in many countries over the commissions it charges on in-app purchases, with the US Senate approving a bill on Thursday that would bar Apple and Google from requiring users to use their payment systems. Apple previously said that it will take a 27% commission on purchases made in dating apps through third-party payment options in the Netherlands, in compliance with a Dutch regulatory ruling.
Source: Reuters
