Apple’s App Store says it has broken competition laws, according to Dutch Guard By Reuters

(Reuters) – The Netherlands’s top competition regulator said on Friday that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ 🙂 had broken the country’s competition laws and ordered changes to the iPhone manufacturer’s App Store payment policies.

Apple’s practice has required regulators and lawmakers around the world to use the app’s in-app payment system and require them to pay between $ 15% and $ 30% in digital goods purchases.

The Dutch Consumer and Markets Authority (ACM) launched an investigation into whether Apple’s practices were an abuse of a dominant market position. But then the scope was reduced to focus on dating market applications, including Tinder owner. Match Group Inc. (NASDAQ :).

“We do not agree with the order issued by the ACM and we have filed an appeal,” Apple said in a statement. He added, “Apple does not have a leading position in the software distribution market in the Netherlands, it has invested huge resources in app developers to reach out to customers and help them grow in the App Store.”

Reuters reported in October that the ACM said Apple’s practices were anti-competitive and promised changes, but the decision was not released until Friday.

The ruling said Apple had violated competition laws. Apple has been ordered to adjust the app store’s unreasonable terms that apply to dating app providers.

The decision requires Apple to allow appointment application providers to use alternative payment systems. The company faces a fine of up to $ 50 million ($ 56.6 million) for failure to comply.

Apple has until January 15 to implement the changes, according to a statement.

“We applaud the ruling of the Rotterdam High Court upholding ACM’s ruling that Apple’s forced use of in-app payment systems and other practices violates Dutch and EU competition law and should be repealed by January 15,” the Match group said. . email statement.

Apple has announced a regulatory backlash in the Netherlands after iPhone makers lost a battle in South Korea to allow developers to use third-party payment services to stop a law requiring major platform providers like Apple and Alphabet (NASDAQ 🙂 Inc. to use third-party application platforms like Google. .

Google has stated that it will allow such payments, even though it will still charge a commission. Apple has not commented on Korea’s compliance plans.

Apple is facing a bill from the European Union and the United States, which would force it to change its in-app payment policies and other business practices hired by developers.