Apple today received its third €5 million (approx. $5.7 million) fine from Dutch regulators for failing to comply with new legislation that allows dating apps to accept payments outside of the App Store.
The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) warned Cupertino that it could have to pay up to €50 million (approx. $57 million) for not abiding by the new rules. “ACM is disappointed in Apple’s behavior and actions,” it said Monday.
Apple hit with third $5.7 million fine
The ACM announced in early January that Apple could not prohibit developers from implementing third-party payment systems inside their apps. The new rule applies only to dating apps for now, but Apple is still dragging its heels.
Despite issuing two statements that detail the steps being taken to comply with the rules, Apple still hasn’t provided the ACM with the information it needs to ensure Cupertino is following the rules correctly, it said this week.
As a result, Apple has received its third €5 million fine, Reuters reports. It will be fined €5 million every week (up to €50 million) until the ACM is satisfied that the right steps are being taken to allow third-party payments.
Apple details third-party payment rules
It’s not entirely clear what the ACM is asking Apple to deliver. The company has already outlined the process dating app developers can follow to implement third-party payments. And although it’s completely ridiculous, it does exist.
Apple is asking devs to build brand-new apps that use third-party payment systems exclusively (if they want to). They cannot accept App Store payments inside the same app, and Apple still demands a 27% cut of all sales.
The rules — and particularly that 27% cut — have, understandably, upset a lot of iOS developers. But it’s unclear if the ACM has an issue with that in particular, or whether Apple’s new guidelines somehow flout its demands.
We’ve contacting the ACM and Apple for more information and we’ll update this article if we get a response.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
