Tech company Apple seems to have to make adjustments to its App Store in the Netherlands. The American company would oblige software developers to use Apple's payment system, thereby violating competition rules. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) would have ordered Apple to make changes, sources reported to Reuters news agency. A spokesperson for the ACM cannot comment on the matter. A judge has yet to make a decision about whether the research may be published.
Apple has been under fire for some time for its payment policy in the App Store. In particular, the requirement that app developers may only use Apple's payment system, with commissions ranging between 15 and 30 percent, leads to complaints from developers.
The Dutch investigation into whether Apple is guilty of abusing its dominant market position was started in 2019. The scope of the investigation was later reduced. The regulator mainly focused on apps for the dating market. Match Group, the parent company of the popular app Tinder, is one of the complainers. Apple's rules would prevent the company from communicating directly with its customers about payments.
According to Reuters, ACM informed the American technology group of its decision last month. This makes ACM the first regulator to determine that the company has abused its market position with its App Store, although Apple has been sued in several countries. The ACM would not have imposed a fine on Apple, but it does demand adjustments to the in-app payment system, according to the sources.
An Apple spokesperson was not immediately available for comment. The company would have asked the court in Rotterdam to block the publication of the ruling. It is not known when the verdict will follow. The procedure is not open to the press or the public.
