After being fined 10 times by a Dutch watchdog group, Apple is still under fire for its actions on App Store policies regarding dating apps, where the Dutch Consumer and Market Authority (ACM) says they are “inadequate.” ACM says it will take up to several weeks to see what actions it will take next time.
The journalists Nando Kasteleijn shared on Twitter his update on Apple’s case as ACM could prepare another penalty for the Cupertino company:
The Dutch Consumer and Market Authority (ACM) concludes that Apple’s changes to the terms of dating apps in the Netherlands on March 30 are insufficient. Apple still uses unfair terms for dating app providers in the Netherlands. This is evident from our own research, expert advice and consultation with market participants.
That said, the Dutch Watchdog group says it “may see an improvement in the proposal Apple is making, but they are not sufficient to comply with European and Dutch rules.”
For 10 weeks, Apple was fined about $ 5 million, but ACM believes that “the penalty did not give the desired result”, so that is why “ACM is preparing a new order subject to a fine” that may take several weeks , until a new executive order.
Background
On March 30, Apple began accepting requests from reading app developers to allow the use of external links for customers to sign up and manage their accounts outside the App Store. Meanwhile, Apple has also changed its policy for dating apps in the Netherlands after being under fire from Dutch regulators.
As for Apple’s changes to its policies on dating apps forced by regulators, Dutch developers can now:
1) continue to use Apple’s in-app purchase system, 2) use a third-party payment system in the app, or 3) include a link in the app that directs users to the developer’s site to complete a purchase.
The changes also include:
- Removal of the separate binary claim: Apple removes the requirement that developers of dating apps in the Netherlands who choose to use the above rights must create and use a separate binary.
- Criteria for payment service provider: Apple provides updated and more specific criteria for evaluating non-Apple payment service providers that dating app developers in the Netherlands can use.
- Consumer information: Apps that use both rights must include a modal sheet in the app that explains to users that they will make purchases through an external payment system and the potential impact this choice may have on the user.
Now we have to wait and see what the new watchdog of the Dutch watchdog will be. 9to5Mac will return when we hear more about this case.
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