Dutch Regulators Reject Apple’s Latest Dating App Rules

Regulators in The Netherlands have just rejected another rules revision from Apple regarding how it will manage third-party payment platforms for dating apps in its app store.

According to Apple Insider, The Authority for Consumers and Markets said that the changes Apple made in its latest rules submission in March were improved but still insufficient. In that revision, Apple had allowed dating apps to use third-party payment systems, but developers had to choose between either the third-party payment system or Apple’s system, not both. Apple also required that the apps would have to notify users that they would be using a system that Apple didn’t control. 

What continues to be a sticking point for the tech giant as well is the commission it charges all developers who place apps in the app store. Apple said that even if dating apps use a third-party payment system, they would still charge developers a 27 percent commission to be able to operate in the app store. (Currently, Apple charges a 30 percent commission to developers and all in-app payments must go through its app store.)

The ACM said in a statement that Apple still "uses unreasonable conditions for dating app providers in the Netherlands."

The ACM also says that it is still in talks with Apple and is working on new penalties and measures to force Apple’s hand to make changes. The regulator acknowledged that the more than 50 million euros in fines it has leveled on Apple for not meeting requirements “did not have the desired result,” according to the statement, and that it is preparing “a new order subject to a penalty,” according to Apple Insider.  

The statement issued by the ACM didn’t go into detail as to what it expects from Apple, or what potentially harsher penalties it might enforce. The $50 million euro fine was an accumulation of $5 million euro weekly fines for non-compliance ACM had ordered Apple to pay. It seems likely this will increase in the meantime.

Match Group, who brought the issue of third-party payments to the attention of the Dutch regulators, has now alerted the ACM to similar practices with the Google Play store. According to Tech Crunch, the regulator said in a press statement: “Dating-app providers allegedly are no longer able to use a payment system other than Google’s payment system. In addition, dating apps claim they are no longer allowed to refer to other payment methods either.”

The regulator went on to say: “Dating-app provider [Match Group] has asked ACM to assess whether Google abuses its dominant position with these practices. ACM will therefore conduct a preliminary investigation in response to this request.”