Throughout its history, Apple’s App Store has helped drive innovation in the Netherlands. Today, the iOS app economy supports over 184,000 Dutch jobs, and we have helped Dutch developers access markets and customers in 175 regions around the world through the App Store.
A key reason for this success is that users have come to trust the App Store as the safest and most secure way to purchase digital goods and services. Apple’s in-app purchase system, an integral part of our world-class commerce platform, offers people a private and secure user experience across apps and Apple devices, and makes it easy for them to manage their purchases and subscriptions.
A recent order from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) will allow developers of dating apps on the Netherlands App Store to use alternate payment processing options. These changes will compromise the user experience, and create new threats to user privacy and data security. We have appealed the ACM’s decision. In the meantime, we are required to make the mandated changes and are providing further details today which satisfy our legal obligations in the Netherlands while helping to protect users from these increased risks.
Developers of dating apps who want to continue using Apple’s in-app purchase system, which we believe is the safest and most secure way for users to purchase digital goods and services, may do so and no further action is needed. Developers of dating apps on the Netherlands App Store who would like to offer an alternate payment method can complete a request for one of two optional entitlements. The entitlements provide the capability to sell services through a payment system other than Apple’s in-app purchase system.
Before considering using one of these entitlements, it’s important to understand that some App Store features that you may use won’t be available to your customers, in part because we cannot validate the security and safety of payments that take place outside of the App Store’s private and secure payment system. Because Apple will not be aware of purchases made using alternative methods, Apple will not be able to assist users with refunds, purchase history, subscription management, and other issues encountered when purchasing digital goods and services through these alternative purchasing methods. You will be responsible for addressing such issues with customers.
If you’re interested in using one of these entitlements with your dating app distributed in the Netherlands, we’ve provided more information on requesting the entitlement, usage guidelines, and implementation details.
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