Apple Faces Another Fine in the Netherlands Over App Store Regulations
Apple might not have learned its lessons yet and faces another fine in the Netherlands. The multinational technology company received its tenth fine from the Dutch watchdogs over app store regulations.
Apple Fined with Million Euros
The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has already penalized Apple with nine €5million. Changes in the country’s statute mean that Apple must allow the dating apps on its iOS platform to provide users with alternative payment methods. The action will become a huge break from the existing App Store model that runs all of Apple’s flagship iPhones, such as iPhone 12 and 13.
In 2019, ACM began its probe if Apple’s procedures embodied an abuse of an authoritative market position. It was afterwards minimised in coverage to focus chiefly on dating market apps, including Match Group Inc. According to the Dutch antitrust watchdog, Apple took advantage of its market dominance and required it to change its practice.
The phone manufacturer’s previous penalties were all linked to embarking on compliance by pressuring developers. Apple obliged them to make a whole new separate app that catered alternate purchasing. At the same time, the company will still get a 27% commission from the transactions.
Last week, Apple put forward a new proposal to comply. However, the ACM is not satisfied, considering giving Apple the tenth penalty. There’s no disclosure regarding the new proposals or how they are different from the previous recommendation.
Apple is yet to deal with more pressure because European Union lawmakers have approved the new Digital Markets Act. This statute will compel the company to uncover more of its business landscape. It includes messaging interface and third-party revenues.
EU Targets iMessage and App Store
The EU reached a contingent agreement on extensive orders that could impel Apple to make iMessage “nonconflicting” with other platforms. It must unfold the App Store to third-party payment options. Also, it should allow iPhone users to uninstall Safari, as well as other stock apps.
It’s a rare occasion that Apple will make something it doesn’t want to do. However, this isn’t unique. Throughout the continent, political momentum is gaining. Authorities in France, Italy, Russia, the UK, and Spain are pitching concerns. They impose considerable fines on multiple aspects of Apple’s purported anticompetitive behaviour in several cases.
A comparable pressure is also building up in the United States and other parts of the world. Apple is already disbursing sizeable weekly amounts to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets. Such huge payments are due to failure to comply with an order to enable dating apps to recommend other forms of payment.
Maybe Apple is a powerful company, and the EU might have a hard time persuading it. However, reputation assertions establish bad propaganda. The company’s business model is typically based on a striking brand that embodies both ideology and lifestyle.
Apple Users Experienced Difficulty Using iMessenger
iPhone users experienced difficulty sending messages with iMessage. There was some kind of service outage this week, which prevented the delivery of messages. Several complaints appeared on Twitter, and MacRumors confirmed the issue. Some cases showed that messages were not delivered, while some images didn’t get through.
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