Dutch antitrust watchdog ACM told Reuters that Apple will face another fine next week for failing to fully comply with a request to open its own app store to compete with payment methods for dating apps in the Netherlands.
The iPhone maker has already imposed penalties of up to 45 million euros ($49 million) so far, with the ACM (Consumers and Markets Authority) slapped with 5 million euros in weekly fines on the company since January, with the ninth penalty signed this week.
Apple submitted a new offer to the ACM this week in an effort to stop the penalty. An official at the Dutch watchdog, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters on Friday that the bid did not fully comply with its order.
Subsequent fines once the total penalty reaches €50 million may be higher as per the rules of the ACM.
Apple, which requires developers to use its system and pay commissions between 15 and 30% on purchases of digital goods and is feeling regulatory scrutiny around the world on the matter, was not immediately available for comment.
An investigation by the ACM into whether Apple’s practices amounted to abusing a dominant market position was launched in 2019. It was later scaled back to focus primarily on dating market apps, including the owner of Tinder Match Group Inc.
The ACM says Apple is abusing its market dominance and has ordered it to change this practice. Apple has denied abusing the market.
Under strict new rules agreed on Thursday between the European Commission, EU governments and EU lawmakers, Apple will be required to open its own App Store once the legislation takes effect in October.
(Reporting by Fu Yun Che) Editing by Jean Harvey and Susan Fenton
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