The Dutch antitrust authority, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), has postponed issuing a final decision on its investigation into the fees Apple charges dating app providers in its App Store. The regulator is awaiting the resolution of parallel discussions between Apple and the European Commission concerning similar anti-competitive concerns.
This delay follows a June ruling by a Dutch court that upheld ACM’s earlier finding that Apple had abused its dominant market position. The court had confirmed that Apple imposed unfair conditions on dating app providers, such as mandating the use of its in-app payment system and taking commissions as high as 30% (or 15% for smaller providers)
In response to mounting regulatory pressure, Apple has already modified its App Store fee structure and plans to implement further adjustments later this year. The ACM has indicated it will withhold its final decision pending the outcome of the EU-level negotiations. This gives Apple a temporary repreive from having to make any fee changes, but the ACM appears to be allowing Brussels to set the precedent.
For dating app developers and platforms in Europe, Apple’s App Store policy changes, coupled with regulatory scrutiny, may reshape how in-app payments and commissions are handled. Should the EU accept Apple’s revised terms, developers might secure clearer pathways to redirect users to external payment options – potentially lowering transactional costs across the region.
