Apple has been at odds with the Authority Consumer and Market (ACM) over the position of dating apps in the Dutch App Store in recent months. Now there is finally agreement between the two parties, as Apple concedes to the demands of the ACM. The ACM let NOS know that.
In dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, at first it was only possible to pay through the App Store checkout, i.e. through Apple. According to the ACM, this was not fair and also cost app developers a lot of money, as Apple charges 30% commission on each payment (1) (2).
Dating app developers use several of Apple's services. For example, they need location services to connect users who are close to each other and send users notifications about matches and messages through Apple's notification options. This makes the developers dependent on Apple, and the tech company can make it so that dating app customers pay only through the App Store checkout. The ACM jumped on the bandwagon for dating app developers and fought the case.
That other payment methods could be implemented in dating apps, Apple decided earlier. But the tech giant did not allow the combination of these other payment methods with Apple's (3). The ACM found this decision by Apple not enough and imposed several penalty payments, totaling 50 million euros. Now Apple has conceded to the ACM's demands after all, so it will not come to an actual fine either.
Despite the fact that Apple has now conceded to the ACM's demands, the battle continues. According to Apple, implementing other payment methods negatively impacts consumer privacy. Apple is therefore continuing its objection to the ACM's penalty payments.
(1) https://nos.nl/artikel/2432269-apple-geeft-na-grote-druk-toe-aan-eisen-acm-in-app-store-zaak
(2) https://www.nu.nl/tech/6205887/apple-voldoet-volgens-acm-aan-regels-met-toestaan-andere-betaalmethoden.html
(3) https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/tech/artikel/5314473/apple-dating-apps-nederland-app-store-acm
