A Dutch court maintained the 2021 consumer watchdog decision that Apple used its market dominance to force dating apps into its payment system while blocking other payment alternatives.
The Rotterdam District Court validated the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets’ decision which imposed a €50 million ($58 million) fine on Apple for not following App Store practice orders. The watchdog determined that Apple’s rules broke European Union antitrust laws because they limited market competition.
Apple announced plans to challenge the court decision because it believes the ruling endangers user security and privacy. The company declared that this ruling damages the technological solutions developers use to benefit from our platform.
The court determined that Apple’s payment system fees which charged 30% to large developers and 15% to smaller ones combined with its ban on external payment links constituted unfair and anti-competitive practices.
The EU has launched a comprehensive initiative to regulate Big Tech companies that dominate digital marketplaces. The court decision establishes a potential legal framework for EU countries to follow when regulators seek more competition and consumer options in app marketplaces.
