Apple makes big change in payments over Dutch dating apps after lawsuits

Apple Inc. said it will charge Dutch dating apps using third-party payment options a reduced 27% rate, in the wake of an antitrust ruling that opened up outside payments within App Store apps for the first time. The move comes after the iPhone maker has been targeted by lawsuits and antitrust investigations across the world over its refusal to let app developers steer customers to other ways of paying. Apple charges a commission of as much as 30% on some app subscriptions, although the U.S. firm reduced the fees for smaller developers last year. 

In the Dutch case, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, or ACM, fined Apple 5 million euros ($5.7 million) with the threat of further penalties of the same amount, up to a maximum of 50 million euros, for every week the company failed to allow rival payment systems for dating-app providers. Apple said Jan. 15 it would comply.

While the fine was a fraction of Apple’s $365.8 billion-annual revenue, the decision was a sign regulators are hardening their resolve against the U.S. firm’s payment methods. 

In line with the ACM order, “dating apps that are granted an entitlement to link out or use a third-party in-app payment provider will pay Apple a commission on transactions,” Apple said online, announcing the reduced commission it will charge “on the price paid by the user, net of value-added taxes.”

Apple Music cuts down free trial period to one month

 (ANI): Apple Music has been offering a three-month free trial for first-time subscribers but the trial period has now been reduced.

As per MacRumors, Apple Music will now offer a shorter one-month free trial to first-time subscribers in the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, and other countries.

Apple Music pricing remains unchanged, with an individual plan available for USD 9.99 per month in the United States after the one-month trial period.

For comparison, rival streaming music service Spotify typically offers a one-month free trial for its Premium tier, but it is currently offering a two-month trial as a limited-time promotion in the United States and select other countries. Spotify is also offering a three-month free trial to first-time customers who sign up through PayPal.

Apple Music continues to offer a six-month free trial to customers who purchase eligible AirPods, Beats, or HomePod models for a limited time.