Dutch App Store change allows dating apps to take third-party payments

Apple has confirmed it will be complying with a regulatory order to change its App Store payment rules, by allowing dating apps in the Netherlands to use third-party payment mechanisms.

In an announcement provided to developers on Friday, Apple says it is complying with an order from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) to provide two "optional new entitlements." The two additions will apply to payment processing options only in the Netherlands App Store, and will be only applicable to dating apps.

The announcement links to a new developer support page dedicated to the changes, as well as advising developers of what they can offer consumers.

Developers that the order applies to can choose from one of three options:

Continue using Apple's existing in-app purchase system.
Include an in-app link directing customers to the developer's website to complete a purchase.
Use a third-party payment system within the app.

Apple further advises that developers must understand the company "cannot validate the security and safety of payments that take place outside of the App Store's private and secure payment system." Since Apple doesn't have this knowledge, it also won't be "able to assist users with refunds, purchase history, subscription management, and other issues" relating to purchases made outside the App Store.

"You will be responsible for addressing such issues with customers," Apple concludes.

The change is due to a ruling by the ACM made in October and published in December, determining Apple broke competition laws in the country. The ACM told Apple it had to make changes to the App Store, or face fines of up to 50 million euros. ($57 million)

While Apple has made the change, it still intends to fight the decision, telling developers it has appealed to a higher court "because we do not believe these orders are in our users' best interests." Apple cites user privacy and data security concerns that could "compromise the user experience."

11 Comments

rob53 3307 comments · 13 Years

About 2 years ago

I assume Apple will start charging a hosting fee for developers who don’t use Apple’s payment system. No court can force a “store” to allow a “seller” to use that store’s facilities free of charge. If they do, I can’t wait to see other sellers demand free store space at every store in the Netherlands. I’m talking about grocery stores, clothing stores and even automobile dealerships.

dantheman827 118 comments · 9 Years

rob53 said:

I assume Apple will start charging a hosting fee for developers who don’t use Apple’s payment system. No court can force a “store” to allow a “seller” to use that store’s facilities free of charge. If they do, I can’t wait to see other sellers demand free store space at every store in the Netherlands. I’m talking about grocery stores, clothing stores and even automobile dealerships.

In that case, they should force them to outright allow alternative means of installing software.

The App Store being the only way to install software is absolutely ridiculous in 2022, it's a monopoly whether you want to admit it or not.

foregoneconclusion 2836 comments · 12 Years

dantheman827 said: The App Store being the only way to install software is absolutely ridiculous in 2022, it's a monopoly whether you want to admit it or not.

The ability of developers to release their apps on a wide variety of platforms says otherwise. They're not dependent on iOS/iPadOS for sales. A judge in the U.S. has already ruled on that in the BlueMail lawsuit.

macxpress 5910 comments · 16 Years

dantheman827 said:

rob53 said:

I assume Apple will start charging a hosting fee for developers who don’t use Apple’s payment system. No court can force a “store” to allow a “seller” to use that store’s facilities free of charge. If they do, I can’t wait to see other sellers demand free store space at every store in the Netherlands. I’m talking about grocery stores, clothing stores and even automobile dealerships.

In that case, they should force them to outright allow alternative means of installing software.

The App Store being the only way to install software is absolutely ridiculous in 2022, it's a monopoly whether you want to admit it or not.

How is it a monopoly when there are other stores out there for other platforms? You can't just look at Apple's App Store. I don't really think that's how it works whether you want it to or not.