The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, or ACM,
said in 2019 here that it was investigating Apple's requirement that developers
use its payment system, which charges commissions of between 15% and 30%.
If it issues a decision soon, the ACM could become the first
antitrust authority to rule on Apple's app-store payment policies, which have
long drawn complaints from app developers. The European Commission last year
opened a formal investigation into the iPhone maker over some of the same
practices.
In letters to developers involved in the investigation sent
earlier this month, which were described to Reuters by two people who received
them, the regulator said it was nearing a draft decision in the case.
It gave no indication of how it would rule.
An ACM spokesman confirmed that the Apple investigation
remains open but said the regulator could not comment on its progress.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the confidential letter to developers, the
regulator is also scrutinizing Apple rules that bar developers from telling
users about cheaper payment alternatives outside of the app.
"It's not just that Apple is inflicting economic
harm," said David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founder of software firm Basecamp
and one of those who received the letter, said of those rules. "Apple is
essentially giving us a gag order."
Basecamp and another developer, Match Group, filed
enforcement requests with the Dutch regulator after the investigation was
underway. -Reuters
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