Apple to Follow Dutch Dating App Payments Ruling

Apple will follow a Dutch ruling to let a third-party payment options for dating apps, Reuters reported Saturday (Jan. 15).

This will be the first time the tech giant will allow outside payments within an App Store app.

The company plans to release two “entitlements” exclusively for the Netherlands App Store, which will allow developers to add third-party payment systems for dating apps and direct users to the web to complete transactions.

However, developers using outside payments will have to submit separate, Netherlands-specific versions of their apps, according to an Apple developer support page.

Apple will still be collecting revenue shares, which has been a point of contention in the past by governments and developers. The company says most developers selling dating apps aren’t based in the Netherlands, so the change wouldn’t benefit the local economy.

Additionally, Apple said that it won’t be responsible for third-party purchase methods.

In a message to developers posted on the Apple website, Apple said that because it “will not be directly 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.”

Despite these concessions, the company says it has appealed the ruling, fearing the changes “could compromise the user experience, and create new threats to user privacy and data security.”

Apple has also seen speculation as to whether it will get into the metaverse, which has been gaining notoriety as companies like Nike enter into the digital space.

See also: Apple Shares Enjoy Boost From Metaverse Frenzy

While Apple has not been central to the metaverse, it share price rose to record levels amid speculation that the company could make extended reality devices, despite the company not having any public plans to do so.