Apple Now Faces $55M in Fines From Dutch Regulators Over Dating App Payments

The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the Dutch antitrust watchdog, has now hit Apple with €50 million ($55 million) in fines related to the tech giant’s failure to comply with an order to allow Netherlands-based dating app providers to use non-Apple payment methods.

ACM’s fines, spread across 10 weekly segments, have now reached their maximum under the current order, according to a Reuters report Monday (March 28).

Apple submitted a new proposal Sunday (March 27) that it says will comply with the order, but that came in too late to be considered ahead of the weekly ACM fine, the report noted.

Apple has been blasted by authorities in several countries for its practice of requiring developers to use its payment system and pay commissions of 15-30% on digital goods purchases. Reuters wrote that the Dutch case “could set a precedent” for other regulators and lawmakers scrutinizing Apple for its approach.

The ACM said Monday that Apple’s new proposal was concrete enough that it expects to make a finding “as soon as possible” about the company’s compliance with the order, which dates back to last year and has accrued weekly fines since January. The regulator also said it would consider the proposal and consult with dating app makers, including Tinder owner Match Group Inc.

If ACM rules Apple’s latest proposal doesn’t meet its demands, it could hand down more periodic fines “with possibly higher penalties” until they reach a resolution.

Apple will be required to open its App Store to alternative payments once new legislation takes effect in October after the European Commission, European Union governments and EU lawmakers agreed to them last week.

See also: Dutch Regulator Says Apple Still Not Compliant on Dating App Payment

In 2019, the ACM launched its investigation into whether Apple’s practices were tantamount to an abuse of its dominant market position, but it later reduced its focus to mostly dating apps. While Apple has denied market abuse, the ACM said Apple must change its practices.

Apple had a Jan. 15 deadline to comply with the ACM, but it missed that deadline and has been fined every week since then. Apple contends it has followed the ACM’s wishes by allowing dating app makers to submit a new apps with alternative payment methods enabled.