€30 Million - that is how much Apple is into the Netherlands’ Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). Yes, they’re still duking it out over the government’s demand that Apple allow dating apps in the country’s App Store to accept third-party payment methods, as well as the many hoops through which developers would have to jump to make that happen.
Displeased with Apple’s various reactions, the ACM said it would fine Apple €5 million-a-week either until Apple met the country’s conditions, or they hit €50 million, the maximum allowed for the perceived infraction under Dutch law. Monday meant another €5 million tacked on, though it’s not just a tally we’re doing, today. A piece from MacRumors says Apple made another attempt to defend its position on the issue.
In a letter to the ACM, Apple head of compliance, Kyle Andeer, said we are so into compliance, we have a head of compliance: me. That’s not an exact quote. Rather, he wrote that Apple has a “consistent and longstanding commitment to compliance in each and every country in which we do business.” My way was more fun.
According to Andeer’s letter:
To ensure the best experience for users, Apple does not operate multiple versions of the App Store, there is just one store with many different storefronts. That has proven to be an incredible opportunity for developers…
Apple seems to be saying that it can’t turn on or off functionality in apps by region, and that if a developer in - say, the Netherlands - wants an app to be able to do things in the Netherlands that would not be allowed elsewhere, it would need a special app for the Netherlands.
Apple says that is not a big deal. For example, Apple pointed out that Match Group, the firm that astroturfed the whole ACM investigation, has different versions of different apps for different storefronts already.
Sure, it’ll be €35 million next week. Apple does seem to be laying a case for appeal though, doesn’t it?