Apple could be thumped with another $5.6 million fine next week if it doesn't meet the regulatory requirement by then, and each week thereafter for a couple more months -- up to a maximum of $56 million.
The fine relates to an order made by Dutch watchdog, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), last year -- which found Apple in breach of antitrust rules and ordered it to adjust the conditions it imposes on dating app providers.
The specific antitrust issues are App Store terms mandating the use of Apple's own in-app payment infrastructure for any sales of digital content, via which the tech giant extracts a commission.
Apple's terms bans using alternative payment systems by dating apps. The regulator took issue with Apple banning dating apps from referring to other payment methods in their apps. The ACM said today that Apple has failed to satisfy its conditions and must make amendments to bring the rules for dating apps in line with its order.