Apple Allows Dutch Dating Apps to Take Payments Through Third-Party Processors

After earning 50 million euros worth of fines from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), Apple has today published a new version of its App Store rules, which allow local dating apps to take payments through third-party processors.

According to The Verge, Apple is finally giving up on its insistence on a separate binary for apps that see outside payment systems. This means Dutch dating apps can now use Apple’s in-app payment system together with a third-party processor in their existing form, rather than having to choose between the two or submit a separate app for each.

Apple has also laid out more specifics on how to evaluate non-Apple payment system providers and examples for the pages apps need to present to customers to inform them they’re about to interact with a non-Apple payment service.

“Consistent with the ACM’s order, dating apps that are granted an entitlement to link out or use a third-party in-app payment provider will pay Apple a commission on transactions. Apple will charge a 27% commission on the price paid by the user, net of value-added taxes. This is a reduced rate that excludes value related to payment processing and related activities. Developers will be responsible for the collection and remittance of any applicable taxes, such as the Netherlands’ value-added tax (VAT), for sales processed by a third-party payment provider.”

ACM will now present the policy to “market participants for consultation,” and if they accept the terms, Apple may avoid an escalation in fines.