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Apple receives multiple $5.7m fines from Dutch antitrust regulator

iPhone maker fined five times in as many weeks following no action on changing in-app payment systems

A Dutch antitrust regulator has delivered five separate €5 million ($5.7 million) fines to Apple in as many weeks for failing to accommodate third party payment systems.

The move follows an investigation from The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markers (ACM) into payment methods found on dating apps in the country.

In December, the ACM found that Apple's anti-competitive rules on transaction options were affecting users on Apple devices and as such, ordered the tech firm to make changes to its in-app payment system by January 15.

The iPhone marker has reportedly missed the deadline, and is receiving weekly fines as penalties as a result, according to Reuters. It also reports that none of the fines have been paid yet.

"We have clearly explained to Apple how they can comply," the ACM said in a statement. "So far, however, they have refused to put forward any serious proposals."

In November last year, Google introduced third party payment systems to its Play Store in South Korea to comply with a new law in the country. Apple submitted plans to introduce the same last month.

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Danielle Partis avatar
Danielle Partis: Danielle is a multi award-winning journalist and editor that joined GamesIndustry.biz in 2021. She previously served as editor at PocketGamer.biz, and is also a co-founder of games outlet Overlode.
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