In a significant development in the ongoing antitrust saga in the Netherlands, developers of dating apps have been given permission by a court order to use alternative payment systems. This means that they don’t have to use Apple’s in-app purchase system, and as a result, the company won’t take its usual 30% cut on digital purchases.
What does this mean for app developers?
While it may seem like a victory for app developers, there’s a catch. Even though Apple doesn’t handle transactions for dating apps using alternative payment systems, the company still plans to charge a commission. According to Apple’s updated documentation, developers will have to pay a 27% commission on the price paid by users.
Why is this significant?
This development is part of the ongoing antitrust scrutiny faced by Apple in various jurisdictions. In South Korea, for instance, the company agreed to allow third-party payment systems following a new law on digital payments. There are also several ongoing cases in the U.S. and Europe.
What’s the background behind this court order?
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) originally said that Apple was in breach of national competition rules regarding digital content sold by dating app developers, such as superlikes and boosts. This represents yet another threat to Apple’s in-app payment system.
Apple’s response
In a statement, Apple said it had appealed the antitrust ruling, saying that allowing external payments wasn’t in the users’ best interests. The company claimed that these changes could compromise the user experience and create new threats to user privacy and data security.
However, the court order was clear: Apple had to comply with the ruling, which is why the company updated its documentation to reflect this change.
What does this mean for users?
While it’s unlikely that users will notice a difference in their experiences, this development could have significant implications for the future of app payments. With more companies looking into alternative payment systems, it’s possible that we’ll see more competition and innovation in this space.
Alternatives to Apple’s In-App Purchase System
- Google Play Billing
- Amazon Appstore Payment Services
- PayPal Mobile SDK
Conclusion
The ongoing antitrust saga in the Netherlands has led to a significant development for app developers. While Apple still plans to charge a commission, this change could pave the way for more competition and innovation in the field of app payments.
Recommendations
- For app developers: Consider using alternative payment systems to reduce costs and increase flexibility.
- For users: Keep an eye out for new features and innovations in the field of app payments.
