Apple Fined Another 5 Million Euros by Dutch Competition Regulator Over Dating App Payment Requirements

The Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has fined Apple five million euros for a third consecutive week for allegedly failing to satisfy the requirements it set regarding alternative payment systems for dating apps, according to Reuters.

iOS App Store General Feature JoeBlue
The ACM today said it has still not received enough information from Apple to assess whether Apple has properly complied with the order, the report states. The competition regulator will continue to fine Apple five million euros per week, up to a maximum of 50 million euros, until it finds the company has come into compliance.

Last month, the ACM said that Apple had "raised several barriers" for dating apps looking to offer alternative payment systems in the Netherlands. For example, developers must submit an entitlement request form on Apple's website, and the entitlement can only be used with a new app binary distributed solely on the App Store in the Netherlands.

The ACM said Apple is also forcing dating apps to choose between the App Store's standard in-app purchase system or alternative payment systems. The regulator said that dating apps must be able to offer both options in the Netherlands.

Apple provided additional details for dating apps wishing to offer alternative payment systems in the Netherlands last week, including that it will charge a 27% commission on transactions made in dating apps that use alternative payment systems.

Apple has appealed the ACM's order, arguing that alternative payment systems in the App Store pose privacy and security risks for customers. Apple also said it will be unable to assist customers with refund requests, subscription management, and other issues encountered when purchasing digital goods and services through alternative systems.

Popular Stories

Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
iOS 19 Roundup Feature

iOS 19 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday April 15, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is less than two months away, and there are already a handful of new features that are expected with the update. Apple should release the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

10 Products Still Coming From Apple in 2025

Friday April 11, 2025 4:14 pm PDT by
Apple may have updated several iPads and Macs late last year and early this year, but there are still multiple new devices that we're looking forward to seeing in 2025. Most will come in September or October, but there could be a few surprises before then. We've rounded up a list of everything that we're still waiting to see from Apple in 2025. iPhone 17, 17 Air, and 17 Pro - We get...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.4.1 With Bug Fixes

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:11 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1 come two weeks after the launch of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There have been complaints about ...
iPhone 6s MacRumors YouTube

Apple Says These Products Are Now Vintage

Tuesday April 15, 2025 9:53 am PDT by
Apple today updated its vintage products list to add the 2018 Mac mini and the iPhone 6s, devices that will get more limited service and repairs now that they are considered vintage. The iPhone 6s initially launched in 2015, but Apple kept it around as a low-cost device until 2018, which is why it is only now being added to the vintage list. The iPhone 6s had Apple's A9 chip, and it was...
tvOS 18 Thumb 1

Apple Releases tvOS 18.4.1

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 18.4.1, a minor update to the tvOS 18 operating system that came out last September. tvOS 18.4.1 comes two weeks after Apple released tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models. tvOS 18.4.1 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software....

Top Rated Comments

Contact_Feanor Avatar
42 months ago

So, Apple proclaims that services like iDeal, Paypal, Mastercard or Visa are not safe?
No, apple proclaims that training users to enter their Mastercard and visa credentials into pop-ups after clicking a website link is not a safe idea. And they're right. Right now I trust my parents no to **** stuff up on the iPad and iPhones I bought for them and thus far they never have and they seem to digitally thrive on those. If any app can have links to third party websites to buy whatever, then I don't think I can trust them anymore and I think they won't dare to buy stuff anymore either.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iOS Geek Avatar
42 months ago

No, apple proclaims that training users to enter their Mastercard and visa credentials into pop-ups after clicking a website link is not a safe idea. And they're right. Right now I trust my parents no to f*ck stuff up on the iPad and iPhones I bought for them and thus far they never have and they seem to digitally thrive on those. If any app can have links to third party websites to buy whatever, then I don't think I can trust them anymore and I think they won't dare to buy stuff anymore either.
The thing is...people aren't going to realize what a cluster**** they created by demanding these options. Until it bites them. But it'll be too late. They won't be happy until they ruin something that's actually good. And then they STILL won't be happy because it'll be a total mess.

The saying "be careful what you wish for...because you just might get it" comes to mind. You'll get what you want! But it'll also come with a lot of things you DIDN'T want.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
willyx Avatar
42 months ago

So every little crap hole country around the world can just randomly fine US companies whatever they want whenever they want and get away with it?

I cant imagine Apple is making that much money off the app store in the netherlands. Especially off apps like dating sites. I wish they would just cut off all access to the app store for all apps that require purchases and make sure all customers know it is their mafia like government that is the cause.
The degree of embarrassment you Apple fanboys go through in these forums just to justify Apple is insane.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rgeneral Avatar
42 months ago
just give them 50m. case closed :)
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
icanhazmac Avatar
42 months ago

Apple also said it will be unable to assist customers with refund requests, subscription management, and other issues encountered when purchasing digital goods and services through alternative systems.
THIS!

Alt-payments sound good but the second you need a refund or customer service..... good luck. Also good luck when the cheapo 3rd party payment processor they choose in order to save a buck gets hacked.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
42 months ago

So every little crap hole country around the world can just randomly fine US companies whatever they want whenever they want and get away with it?
They are called jurisdictions and they have laws -- laws that multinational corporations must abide in order to operate in those jurisdictions
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)