The decision by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the Dutch antitrust authority, against Apple is a seminal one. The body has found that Apple’s rules mandating software developers to use its in-app payment system are anti-competitive and has ordered it to make changes.
The development is a clear indictment of the abuse of dominance by Apple in the app economy and the first instance of an antitrust regulator calling out Apple for its anti-competitive AppStore practices. This adds to the list of credible interventions by authorities around the world - in Japan, South Korea, US - on app marketplace operators in ensuring fair market practices. What also makes it more interesting is that the ACM has not levied a fine, but has rather demanded changes to Apple’s in-app payment system.
The development is likely to have a cascading effect in all markets and geographies where Apple is operating in or facing antitrust challenges. The decision by ACM will act as a precedent and influence the way regulators world over view & review app marketplace policies.