Apple to allow independent payment options for dating apps in Netherlands, complying with a ruling from a Dutch market regulator

On December 24, 2021, Netherlands’ Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) decided that Apple had been abusing its dominant position in the market by not allowing developers of dating apps to use independent payment options. The authority gave the company till January 15, 2022, to allow dating apps to offer non-Apple payment options.

Apple said on Saturday that it is now complying with the Dutch market regulator’s orders. While the company is in the process of appealing the decision, it is offering “additional payment processing options for users” of dating apps downloaded from the Dutch App Store.

Cupertino has repeatedly come under fire for not allowing developers to use payment options outside of its ecosystem. The Dutch investigation and the subsequent regulation are the latest in a series of anti-trust investigations that Apple has faced from authorities around the world.

It remains to be seen whether ACM forcing Apple to drop its monopolistic practices would have any effect on other markets.

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