HIGHLIGHTS
- ACM, Apple is exploiting its dominating market position.
- Apple stated that it cooperated with the Dutch verdict.
- Apple's measures have been condemned by the ACM as imposing an unfair hardship.
The Dutch antitrust authority penalised Apple EUR 5 million (approximately Rs. 4.2 crore), the fifth such penalty in five weeks for allowing non-Apple payment methods for dating app subscriptions.
According to the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), Apple is abusing its dominant market position by refusing to enable software application developers in the Netherlands to utilise alternative payment methods for dating applications available through its App Store.
Since Apple failed to meet a January 15 deadline to implement adjustments imposed by the ACM, the watchdog has begun levying weekly fines of EUR 5 million (approximately Rs. 40 crore).
It stated that the US corporation had made no fresh proposals to comply with its order in the previous week.
In a statement, the watchdog added, "We have clearly indicated to Apple how they can comply..." "However, they have thus far declined to make any genuine ideas." On Monday, Apple declined to comment.
Apple's Software Store mandate that app developers utilise its payment system solely, with 30 percent fees, has come under fire in a number of nations, most recently the United States.
Apple suggested in blog postings that it cooperated with the Dutch order by enabling dating app developers in the country to submit a new app with other payment methods permitted.
Apple has stated that it would continue to charge a 27 percent commission on any in-app payments that it does not process, which is only slightly less than the 30 percent it charges on those that it does process.
Apple's measures, according to the ACM, impose an unfair burden on software developers and do not amount to compliance.
Apple and the ACM have not commented on whether any of the weekly fines have been paid, although it is believed that they are all still owed.
