Apple just bought time in the Netherlands, but Europe may soon force bigger changes to its App Store pending further regulations.
It seems Apple won’t face a new penalty in the Netherlands just yet. The country’s antitrust regulator is holding off on its next move while the European Commission continues talks with Apple about similar App Store policies.
According to a report from Reuters, the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets said Friday that it’s postponing a decision on how to proceed. Apple recently changed some of its App Store rules and said it would make more adjustments later this year.
The regulator wants to wait and see how the EU handles its ongoing discussions before taking further action.
Apple’s App Store rules under pressure
In June, a Dutch court backed the regulator’s earlier ruling that Apple had abused its power in the market. The court agreed that Apple treated dating app developers unfairly by limiting how they could handle payments.
That ruling came after years of legal back and forth, including $58 million in fines issued in 2022 for Apple’s failure to comply with the original order.
Apple eventually allowed alternative payments in the Dutch App Store, but developers had to submit a separate version of their app and still pay a commission. Regulators didn’t consider that a meaningful concession.
Now, the European Commission is taking a broader view. The talks in Brussels stem from the Digital Markets Act, a law that took effect in 2023 and is designed to prevent dominant tech firms from imposing unfair conditions.
Apple is classified as a “gatekeeper” under the law, which requires it to open up key services like the App Store.
EU-level enforcement could reshape Apple’s model
Apple’s recent adjustments reflect mounting pressure. The company is reportedly offering a lower commission rate of around 20% for developers using its in-app payment system, with small developers paying closer to 13%.
Developers who steer users to outside payment options could face additional fees of 5% to 15%, depending on the transaction.
That’s a notable shift from Apple’s traditional 30% cut and suggests the company is trying to avoid daily penalties of up to $54 million under EU law. The Commission has already fined Apple $540 million in a separate non-compliance case.
For dating app developers, the outcome could significantly affect their business models. Under Apple’s previous workaround in the Netherlands, the cost savings were marginal.
If the EU accepts the new fee structure, developers across Europe — not just in the Netherlands — could gain more clarity and better terms.
Why the Dutch are waiting
The ACM’s decision to hold off signals a broader shift toward coordinated enforcement. Rather than pursue a national remedy that might later conflict with European rules, the Dutch regulator is letting the EU set the standard.
That could lead to simpler, more consistent policies for developers and fewer legal battles for Apple. There’s also a legal incentive to wait.
If Apple concedes to thetricter EU terms, it’s less likely to pursue appeals in the Dutch case. And if the EU finds Apple in breach of anti-steering provisions, the Dutch regulator would be in a stronger position to demand lasting changes.
The pause doesn’t mean the ACM is backing down. It just means that Apple’s final playbook in Europe will probably come from Brussels, not Amsterdam.
What developers should watch
Apple hasn’t said exactly when its new rules will take effect. The European Commission is expected to issue a final decision in the coming weeks. If the new terms satisfy regulators, Apple may be able to avoid further fines.
For now, developers are in a holding pattern. But the outcome of these talks could redefine the economics of the App Store across Europe. If the final structure brings real savings, major dating apps may finally take the plunge and move payments outside Apple’s system.
If not, most will likely stay where they are. Either way, the next move belongs to the EU.
