A Dutch court has upheld a 2021 ruling by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), confirming that Apple abused its dominant position by enforcing unfair App Store policies on dating app developers.
In its decision, the Rotterdam District Court supported ACM’s findings that Apple:
- Mandated the use of its proprietary payment system for all in-app transactions.
- Prohibited developers from directing users to alternative payment methods.
- Charged commissions of 30% on transactions (reduced to 15% for smaller developers).
The court concluded that these conditions placed undue restrictions on dating app providers and violated EU antitrust regulations.
Apple to Challenge the Verdict
Apple expressed disagreement with the court’s decision and announced plans to appeal.
“This ruling undermines the technology and tools we’ve created to benefit developers and protect users’ privacy and security,” a company spokesperson said.
In 2021, the ACM fined Apple €50 million ($58 million) for failing to comply with its orders to amend the App Store’s restrictive practices. The latest court ruling reaffirms the regulator’s authority and marks a significant precedent in ongoing scrutiny of Big Tech in Europe.
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