In compliance with a legal decision, Apple has allowed dating apps in the Netherlands to offer alternative payment systems, for which it will charge 27% commission net of tax, 9to5Mac is reporting.
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) had ruled on December 24th that Apple must allow dating apps published to the Netherlands’ App Store to transact with third-party, non-native iOS payments methods.
Apple typically charges a 30% commission on purchases made using its In-App Purchase system. Apple says that the 27% cut is based on the price paid by the user, net of value-added tax. “This is a reduced rate that excludes value related to payment processing and related activities,” notes Apple.
On the face of it, a 27% commission does not exactly seem like a compelling option — when Apple’s own In-App Purchase system is easy to use and deeply integrated into the system.
Each month, developers will have to send a report to Apple that lists their sales. Apple will then send out invoices for its commission, that must be paid within 45 days.
Apple notes that dating app developers who want to continue using Apple’s in-app purchase system may do so and no further action is needed. Dating app developers who want to use a different payment system will need to request new entitlements.
