Apple Surrenders! Finally Allow Dating Apps In The Netherlands Use Other Payment Options

Apple has submitted its proposal to comply with the ACM decision, (photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Apple seems tired of dealing with the Dutch regulator or the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) with a myriad of requests including asking dating apps to process third-party payments.

Now, the technology giant from Cupertino, United States (US) has allowed dating apps operating in the Netherlands through its App Store rules to use third-party payments.

Previously, Apple had submitted its proposal to comply with the ACM decision, but the changes did not satisfy Dutch regulators and resulted in a fine of 50 million euros or approximately IDR 794 billion.

In the proposal, actually Apple will allow dating apps to use alternative payment systems, but the company also needs to consider various conditions.

The company has consistently maintained its opposition to ACM orders, which Apple says pose a threat to user privacy and data security. But now, Apple is giving in to its insistence on ACM.

"In accordance with an ACM directive, dating apps that are granted the right to link to or use a third-party in-app payment provider will pay Apple a commission on the transaction. Apple will charge a 27 percent commission on the price paid by the user, net of value-added tax," Apple said, as quoted from The Verge, Friday, April 1.

This is a reduced rate excluding values related to payment processing and related activities. The developer will be responsible for collecting and remitting applicable taxes, such as value-added tax (VAT), for sales processed by third-party payment providers.

"Developers exercising this right will be required to provide Apple with a report that records every sale of digital goods and content that has been facilitated through the App Store. This report must be submitted every month within 15 calendar days after the end of Apple's fiscal month," Apple concluded.

Meanwhile, ACM stated that the next step would be to present the policy to market participants for consultation. If they accept the terms, then Apple can avoid escalating the fine.

The dispute with Dutch competition regulators is part of the antitrust scrutiny Apple faces around the world. The European Union's Digital Markets Act may require support for external payment processors in all applications once it goes into effect, while South Korea recently passed a similar law.

Apple's in-app payment system was the focus of a recent high court battle with Epic Games, which ultimately resulted in a US judge ordering Apple to allow developers to link to other payment options. The order was later suspended pending appeal.