Apple will let dating apps offer third-party payment options in the Netherlands

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple will let dating app developers offer alternative payment options in compliance with the Dutch regulator's decision in the Netherlands. This would allow the dating app -- and only dating apps -- to be distributed in the country, avoiding the 15 to 30 percent commission on Apple's in-app purchases.

In a message to developers on its site, Apple explains that it is introducing two new optional "entitlements," or specific app capabilities, that will let developers add third-party payment processors to dating apps in the Netherlands. Dating app developers can either direct customers to a website to complete their purchase or add a third-party payment service within the app. However, if developers choose to discontinue Apple's payment service in favor of an alternative, Apple says it won't be able to help users with refunds, subscription management, or any payment issues.

Apple has appealed against the decision of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). "Since we do not believe these orders are in the best interests of our users, we have appealed the ACM's decision to the High Court," Apple explains. “We are concerned that these changes may compromise the user experience, and may pose new threats to user privacy and data security. In the meantime, we are obliged to make mandatory changes that we are launching today and we Will provide more information soon.

In December, the ACM ruled that Apple would allow dating apps in the country to offer third-party paid services, and face a 5 million euro-per-week fine if the company failed to do so by January 15. . ACM will face off after a complaint from Match Group launched an investigation into Apple's payment rules in 2019, focusing specifically on dating apps, which owns the popular online dating services Match.com, Tinder, OkCupid and Hinge. Huh.

Apple's payment policies have sparked controversy around the world, with South Korea introducing legislation that requires the company to allow in-app third-party payment services. Its ban on alternative payment services is also the catalyst behind an ongoing battle between Epic Games and Apple -- a court order that forced Apple to allow external payment options was only halted after Apple's appeal. Last year, Apple struck a small settlement and agreed to point customers to external sites for subscription signups for the "Reader" app.