Dutch Antimonopoly Supervisor Fines Apple IDR 82 Billion, Here's The Reason

Apple was again fined for antitrust allegations. (photo: unsplash doc)

JAKARTA - The Dutch antitrust watchdog on Monday, January 7 fined Apple 5 million euros (IDR 82 billion) for the third time for failing to allow software app makers in the Netherlands to use non-Apple payment methods for dating apps listed on the App Store.

The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has levied a weekly fine of 5 million euros on Apple since the company missed a January 15 deadline to make the changes ordered by the watchdog.

Apple, which could not be reached for comment by Reuters, has twice published information on its own blog about changes made to comply with Dutch orders. However, the ACM said on Monday that it had not received enough information from US companies to assess whether Apple had actually complied.

"The ACM is disappointed with Apple's behavior and actions," it said in a statement quoted by Reuters. It said a Dutch court had upheld its decision, which found Apple's conduct violated competition law.

Apple is under pressure in many countries over the commissions it charges on in-app purchases. Even the US Senate approved legislation last Thursday that would ban Alphabet Inc's Apple and Google from requiring users to use their payment systems.

Apple on January 15, for the first time, confirmed that it had complied with a December order by Dutch regulators, which only covers dating apps such as Tinder Match Group. But regulators replied that Apple had not actually made the requested changes. They are said to have just indicated they will do so.

On February 3, Apple made a further statement on its blog, which seems to explain how developers can now implement alternative payment methods.

One important footnote is that Apple says it will still charge 27% commission for unprocessed in-app payments, just under the 30% it currently charges. The company insists that it is "consistent with ACM orders".

An ACM spokesperson said the agency could not comment beyond its public statements on whether the 27% commission was consistent with their request.

Apple separately appealed ACM's early December decision, arguing that alternative payment systems pose a security risk to users.