Apple has been fined again in the Netherlands over an antitrust order related to dating apps. The order requires the US- based company to allow local dating apps to be able to use third-party payment technologies if their developers wish, rather than being locked to only being able to use Apple’s in-app payment API for iOS.
Since January, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has levied a series of (weekly) penalties against Apple for what it asserts is continued non-compliance with the order.
The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) said Apple abused its dominant market position by not allowing software applications in the Netherlands to use any other payment modes. The company had a Jan. 15 deadline to comply with the ACM, but didn’t do so.
The latest €5 million fine (the ninth) brings the total penalties against Apple on this issue up to €45 million (out of a maximum possible of €50 million if it again fails to satisfy the regulator by next week).
Apple has responded to the string of fines over this period by claiming it is complying with the order — despite the regulator clearly taking a different view.
Apple has fought any attempt so far to open up its App Store to third parties. For instance, in South-Korea, Apple challenged a new regulation that ordered the tech giant to loosen its grip over the app economy. In Europe, the company is also fighting a similar Continent-wide order that would force the tech Giant’s payment systems open.
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