Apple accused this country of breaking law, order for change in app bundle payment policy

In lieu of using in-app payment system, Apple’s practice of taking 15 to 30 percent commission from app developers has come under the scope of regulators and law-moneyrs from all over the world. Now the top competition regulator of the Netherlands has said that Apple has broken the country’s competition laws. Apple has been ordered to change his ‘App Store Payment’ policy. According to Reuters report, this investigation was launched in 2019 by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). It was investigated whether the market was misused by Apple’s practice. However, the investigation was later limited by focusing on dating apps, which are associated with the app store and use the in-app payment system. It also includes Tinder’s owner match group.

Apple has said in a statement that he disagrees with the order of ACM and filed an appeal. It states that Apple is not at the forefront of the market for software distribution in the Netherlands. Apple has said that it has invested a lot of resources to help the developers of dating apps reach customers and help them move at the app store. Reuters reported in October that ACM found Apple’s practice anti -competition.

The regulator’s decision stated that Apple has violated competition laws. Apple has been ordered to fix the improper terms in the app store that applies to dating-app provides.

Apple has also been ordered to allow dating apps providers to use alternative payment system. If the company does not follow orders, it may face a fine of up to 50 million euros (about Rs 425 crore). Apple has been given time till 15 January to implement changes.

In this case, the FIT group says that we appreciate the decision of the Rotterdam Court, which confirms the ACM decision. It is said that Apple forcibly uses the in-app payment system and the rest of the practice violated the Dutch and EU competition laws. It should be abolished by 15 January.

Apple has taken this major setback from the top regulator of the Netherlands at a time when the company has lost a case related to a law in South Korea too. Major app platform providers such as Apple and Google in South Korea will have to allow their developers to use third-party payment services.

Google has indicated that it will allow third party payment services, although still the commission will be taken. Apple has not told anything about its plans about South Korea.

Apple is also facing the proposed law in the European Union and the US. This law will force the app to change its in-app payment policy and other things.