Apple is accused of abusing its market power by mandating dating app creators to use Apple’s in-app payment mechanism exclusively.
Apple announced on Saturday that it would allow dating app makers in the Netherlands to offer non-Apple payment choices to its users, in response to a market regulator’s requirement that they do so by January 15 or face fines.
Apple had exploited its market position by mandating dating app developers, including Tinder owner Match Group, to solely utilize Apple’s in-app payment system, according to a ruling released on December 24 by the country’s Authority for Consumers and Markets.
Apple’s practice of mandating developers to use its system and pay 15-30 percent commissions on digital goods transactions has been criticized by regulators and lawmakers all over the world, but the Dutch verdict only applies to dating apps and only in the Netherlands.
Apple said it would comply with the judgment and create “two optional new entitlements only relevant to dating apps on the Netherlands App Store that give additional payment processing alternatives for users” in a statement on its developers’ blog on Saturday.
It did say, though, that developers were not forced to utilize non-Apple technologies, and that Apple would not be able to assist with payment security or refunds if they occurred outside of its systems because it would “not be immediately aware of them.” Apple has filed an appeal against the Dutch ruling.
