In the Netherlands, Apple is forced to offer third-party payment methods for dating apps.

The Netherlands is forcing Apple to offer alternative payment methods in its App Store, but only for dating apps.

Mobile app developers are frankly happy with the current situation with app stores. Some are getting more and more furious about the position of their managers, namely Google for the Play Store and Apple for the App Store. A position that prevents certain options, especially in terms of payment. Today, this makes many teeth cringe, including in some governments.

The Netherlands is forcing Apple to offer alternative payment methods in its App Store

Among the things that developers demand from Apple, in the first place, of course, is the permission to offer users alternative payment platforms. This will allow developers to sell their apps and collect in-app purchases without leaving the 30% commission charged by Apple. For businesses that generate millions of dollars in revenue through their apps, 30% is a lot of money.

but only for dating apps

At the same time, Apple has always been against this idea. The Cupertino-based company can even boast that it has won a reprieve in its case against Epic. In other words, the Apple brand is no longer forced to implement this change – the opening of means of payment – in the App Store at the moment. However, things seem to be different in the Netherlands. Regulators are forcing Apple to allow third-party payments.

In any case, that’s what iCulture is reporting, which has found that regulators are forcing the Cupertino-based company to allow third-party payment methods on the App Store. Otherwise, Apple faces a fine of 5 million euros per week. That being said, and rather strangely, this ban only applies to dating apps like Tinder.

Why focus on dating apps and not other apps in the App Store? Is there significant lobbying for this app category in the Netherlands for this request to reach this high level? Some will say it’s better late than never. And this decision of the court could set a precedent. What could give ideas to other countries.