Epic Games and Tinder parent company denounce Apple for in-app purchases

Epic Games and Match Group, parent company of Tinder, among others, have spoken out against the 30 percent remittance to Apple for transactions within iOS apps. On Tuesday it was announced that the European Commission is investigating this commercial practice.

Epic Games Director Tim Sweeney Says that a “level playing field” in his view means that users can also install apps from other sources and that developers can choose whether they run payments through the App Store or not.

Tinder parent company Match Group says Apple will arbitrarily charge some apps and not others. “We are very aware of their power over us. They claim that we want a ‘free ride’ but the reality is that ‘digital services’ is the only category of apps that have to pay these fees. The vast majority of apps, such as Internet giants that connect people to, say, taxi services or make money from advertising, are never subject to Apple’s payment systems and fees. That’s not fair.”

Both companies join Spotify, the first major company to openly complain about Apple’s 30 percent commission on in-app purchases and subscriptions. Basecamp also recently complained about Apple, because of a refusal by e-mail service Hey due to the lack of a payment option via Apple.

It was recently announced that the European Commission has launched two investigations into possible abuse of power by Apple. The studies focus on the App Store and Apple Pay. The App Store investigation focuses specifically on this topic of in-app purchases, on which app developers must pay a 30 percent commission to Apple, which includes subscription fees in the first year.

Apple has a monopoly over app distribution on iOS and a monopoly over the payment system developers can use within apps and games. In addition, developers within apps are not allowed to point to their own website with other payment methods, as this can lead to refusal of the app.