Dutch competition regulator rejects Apple’s objections to $53 million in fines
In this article (5)
Apple may be the favorite phone brand in the Netherlands, but the Dutch regulators lately think little of the iPhone makers.
The Cupertino giant has faced rejection from the Dutch competition regulator ACM (Authority for Consumers and Markets). Apple objected to fines that currently add up to $53 million, but the Dutch ACM is adamant on the issue.
Internally, this “objection-rejection” thing has been known from July 13, 2023, when ACM decided to say “No!” to Apple’s objections, but it has only now been published.
Apple is ready to take this to court: “We disagree with the ACM’s original order, which degrades investment incentives and is not in the best interests of our users’ privacy or data security. As the ACM has denied our administrative appeal, we will appeal to the Netherlands courts”, Apple told Reuters.
The ACM vs. Apple beef in the Netherlands is a long-standing dispute over… dating apps in the App Store. The problem Dutch authorities saw in the way Apple was conducting its business was due to it not allowing alternative payment systems for Dutch dating apps. That’s all they wanted – an alternative payment system to be allowed on the App Store, because Dutch people were not happy with the commission fee that the App Store takes on purchases.
The ACM says that Apple has now complied with “most of its demands”, but there’s an additional – undisclosed one – that they haven’t complied with.
It’s still unknown what’s the character of that final order that Apple failed to comply with, but the ACM regulator has promised to publish details should it win in court.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the total amount of fines Apple has received from the Dutch regulator?
What is the total amount of fines Apple has received from the Dutch regulator?
Apple has received fines that currently amount to $53 million from the Dutch competition regulator ACM. This sum is the result of their ongoing dispute regarding payment systems for dating apps on the App Store.
Q.When did the Dutch regulator officially reject Apple's objections to the fines?
When did the Dutch regulator officially reject Apple's objections to the fines?
The Dutch competition regulator ACM formally rejected Apple's objections to the fines on 13 July 2023. This decision has only recently been made public, leading to the current situation.
Q.What is the core issue of the dispute between Apple and the Dutch competition regulator?
What is the core issue of the dispute between Apple and the Dutch competition regulator?
The long-standing dispute centres on Apple not allowing alternative payment systems for Dutch dating apps on its App Store. Dutch authorities and users object to the commission fee Apple takes on purchases made through its system.
Q.What is Apple's next step after the rejection of its administrative appeal?
What is Apple's next step after the rejection of its administrative appeal?
Apple plans to appeal the decision to the Netherlands courts. The company maintains that the original order degrades investment incentives and negatively impacts user privacy and data security.