Dutch court says Apple abused App Store, hits it with fines

A Dutch court has backed the ACM’s finding that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) abused its App Store dominance by forcing dating apps into its payment system and charging steep commissions, and Apple now faces a six-week deadline to change course or incur weekly fines.

The District Court of Rotterdam ruled that Apple imposed unreasonable conditions on dating-app providersmandating use of Apple’s in-app purchase system, banning references to external payment methods and levying 30% (15% for smaller outfits) commissionswhile exempting most other apps. In August 2021, the ACM first ordered Apple to loosen these rules; a later injunction paused only the commission change.

This new ruling lifts that pause and compels Apple to adjust its commission terms within six weeks. Having missed earlier deadlines, Apple has already racked up 50 million in penalties, and the court confirmed those fines won’t be refunded. Apple says it plans to appeal, arguing the decision undermines its developer tools and privacy safeguards.

The verdict targets one of the most criticized aspects of Apple’s App Store model and could reshape how dominant platforms are regulated in Europe and beyond. With similar probes underway in South Korea, Japan and under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple’s response here may influence global standards for app-store fairness, competition and developer choice.

All eyes now turn to Apple’s appeal and whether it meets the six-week deadline. If Apple fails again, another 5 million-per-week fine kicks incapped at 50 millionand the ruling could force Apple to overhaul App Store rules for other app categories too.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.