Apple Ordered to Open Payment Gates on Dutch Dating Apps

Dutch authorities have ordered Apple to allow dating apps to accept payments using solutions outside the iPhone maker’s walls, according to a statement from The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).

The decision is the result of a two-year investigation into Apple’s payment procedures. Dating apps took center stage when Match Group filed a complaint about the issue. Match Group owns mainstream dating apps like Tinder and OKCupid, among others.

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Apple has two months to “adjust the unreasonable conditions” or face a 5 million euros ($5.6 million) weekly fine up to 50 million euros ($56 million).

“Some app providers are dependent on Apple’s App Store, and Apple takes advantage of that dependency. Apple has special responsibilities because of its dominant position,” said Martijn Snoep, ACM chairman of the board.

“That is why Apple needs to take seriously the interests of app providers too and set reasonable conditions. That is what we are forcing Apple to do with this order. Protecting people and businesses against abuse of market power in the digital economy is one of our most important duties,” Snoep said.

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iPhones restrict dating apps to the App Store exclusively, limiting people’s dating pool, and making the app developers dependent on Apple.

“Dating app providers thus have little choice but to accept Apple’s conditions. ACM, therefore, establishes that Apple has a dominant position,” according to the ACM’s statement.

Apple has already filed an appeal against ACM’s order, according to an Apple spokesperson. Apple maintains that it doesn’t have a dominant position in the Netherlands, the spokesman said. Further, under Dutch and EU law, Apple says it is within its rights as a company to charge app developers for the services provided.

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