Court Upholds Regulator's Case Against Apple Over App Store

June 17, 2025 June 17, 2025

Apple Loses Dutch App Store Antitrust Case

Apple Loses Dutch Court Battle Over App Store Payment Policies

Apple has suffered a significant legal setback in the Netherlands. A Rotterdam District Court has confirmed an earlier ruling that Apple abused its dominant market position by imposing unfair payment terms on developers of dating apps. This decision upholds the findings of the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the country's competition regulator.

The Core of the Dispute: Restrictive Payment Practices

The heart of the issue lies in Apple's App Store payment system. The ACM found that Apple violated European Union competition laws by forcing dating app developers to utilize Apple's proprietary in-app payment system. This meant developers were prevented from guiding users towards alternative payment methods, such as paying directly through the app's website. Furthermore, Apple imposed substantial commissions – up to 30% – on all transactions made through its system. This significantly impacted developers' profitability and restricted consumer choice.

Essentially, Apple controlled how dating apps processed payments within their apps, limiting competition and stifling innovation. This practice, according to the court, amounted to an abuse of Apple's powerful market position as the dominant app store provider for iOS devices.

The ACM's Actions and Apple's Response

The ACM initially ordered Apple in August 2021 to alter its App Store policies for dating apps in the Netherlands. The order mandated that Apple allow dating app developers either to incorporate alternative payment systems within their apps or to direct users to external websites for payment. This would give users more options and potentially lower transaction fees for developers.

However, Apple failed to implement these changes to the ACM's satisfaction. As a result, the ACM imposed a series of weekly fines totaling €50 million for non-compliance. This demonstrated the seriousness with which the Dutch regulator viewed Apple's actions.

Following the court's confirmation of the ACM’s ruling, an Apple spokesperson issued a statement to Reuters, stating that the company intends to appeal the decision. Apple maintains that its policies are designed to protect user privacy and security, arguing that the court's ruling undermines these efforts.

This ruling undermines the technology and tools we've created to benefit developers and protect users' privacy and security, and we plan to appeal.

Wider Implications and International Scrutiny

This legal battle in the Netherlands is not an isolated incident. Apple's App Store practices are currently under intense scrutiny internationally. Many countries and regulatory bodies are investigating whether Apple's control over its app store constitutes anti-competitive behavior and harms developers and consumers alike. This case in the Netherlands serves as a significant precedent, setting a potential standard for future legal challenges against Apple's App Store policies in other jurisdictions.

The potential impact extends beyond dating apps. The court's ruling could set a precedent for other app categories, potentially prompting changes to Apple's App Store rules regarding in-app payments. This could have significant repercussions for a wide range of app developers and the broader app economy.

The Future of App Store Policies

The appeal process could be lengthy and complex, and the final outcome remains uncertain. However, this decision clearly demonstrates a growing global trend towards holding major tech companies accountable for their market practices. The case highlights the tension between Apple's desire to maintain control over its ecosystem and the need to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.

The ongoing legal battles illustrate the difficulties in balancing the interests of app developers, consumers, and large technology companies. The outcome of this case and similar legal challenges will shape the future of app store policies worldwide, potentially influencing how other app stores operate and how they interact with app developers.

DynaSage.