Apple was fined another €5 million today by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) in the Netherlands for failing to adequately comply with mandated dating apps' alternative payment system requirements. The rule came into effect in January, and since then apple has received 5 million euros in weekly fines, the 10th ticket totaling 50 million euros (also the cap for similar fines).
Apple has opted to allow Dutch dating apps to use external payment methods, but developers wishing to take advantage of this feature must submit separate payment apps and cannot offer both third-party payment options and in-app purchases.
ACM argues that dating app developers shouldn't need to choose between using alternative payments or in-app payments, and says apps must be able to offer both options. Apple has reduced commissions for purchases made using third-party payment systems, requiring 27% instead of the original 30%, and developers are required to submit a monthly sales record so that Apple can track its commission share.
Last week, Reuters said that Apple's fine after 50 million euros may exceed the cap, so how the dispute between the Dutch ACM and Apple will develop is a topic to watch. Apple tweaked its compliance recommendations again on Sunday, which the ACM said "should bring clarity to dating app vendors looking to use the App Store" to end the constant fines.
ACM plans to review Apple's new proposal and will make a ruling soon, and if the ACM decides that Apple's advice is insufficient, the ACM said, Apple could receive another "possibly more costly penalty" order to compel Apple to comply.
