In a press release, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets said that Apple imposes ‘unreasonable conditions” by not allowing app payments except Apple’s in-app purchases.
“Some app providers are dependent on Apple’s App Store, and Apple takes advantage of that dependency,” said Martin Snoep, the head of the Dutch authority. “Apple needs to take seriously the interests of app providers too, and set reasonable conditions.”
Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets has ordered Apple Inc to make changes by January 15 or else face a fine of 5 million euros per week, making up a total of 50 million euros. The iPhone makers have been targeted by lawsuits and antitrust investigations across the world for the refusal to let apps developers direct customers to other payment methods.
In September Apple was ordered by a U.S. District Judge to give developers the option of bypassing its commission on in-app purchases, including letting iOS apps use “buttons, external links or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing methods” other than Apple’s payment system. Apple earlier this month won a reprieve to the ruling.
