Dutch regulator delays Apple ruling amid EU talks on App Store: Report
Dutch antitrust watchdog, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), has delayed its decision on Apple over fees charged to dating app providers on the App Store. According to a report by news agency Reuters, the regulator said that it is waiting for the outcome of ongoing discussions between Apple and the European Commission on a similar issue before moving forward.According to ACM, Apple recently changed its fee structure in response to those talks and has said it plans to make further adjustments later this year.The regulator had previously ruled that Apple abused its dominant market position by imposing unfair conditions on dating app developers. That decision was upheld by a Dutch court in June, which found that the company’s practices in the App Store violated competition laws.The ACM has not provided a new timeline for its final ruling. The ongoing talks between Apple and the European Commission are expected to influence how both EU and national regulators handle competition issues related to the App Store in the future.In a related news, Reuters recently reported that Apple’s updates to its App Store rules and fees are likely to get approval from EU antitrust regulators soon. Citing people familiar with the matter, the report said that this could help the Cupertino-based company avoid large daily fines. Last month, the iPhone maker said that developers will soon be required to pay a 20% processing fee for purchases made via the App Store. For Apple’s small-business program, the fees could go as low as 13%.
