CEO of Fotka.pl denounces Apple and Google fees that pressure dating apps in the European Union

The European digital landscape faces a heated debate over the competitiveness and practices of technology giants. In a recent interview, Marek Kołosiński, President of Fotka.pl, one of the oldest and most resilient dating platforms in Polônia, exposed the difficulties local companies face due to the commission policies imposed by Google and Apple. Ele described the situation as a system where smaller developers are treated as “sheep to be sheared”, highlighting the fee of up to 30% charged on transactions carried out within applications, a practice that, according to him, stifles innovation and profitability.

Kołosiński’s critique sheds light on a structural challenge in the União Europeia app market. The dependence on the App Store and Google Play Store ecosystems places big techs in a position of disproportionate negotiating power. Para companies like Fotka.pl, which operate with leaner margins, these fees represent a significant obstacle to growth, forcing a constant search for cost optimization and alternative strategies to remain financially viable.

With more than 25 years of history, Fotka.pl has witnessed the evolution of the digital market, going from a pioneering community portal to an application focused on quality connections. The platform, which has accumulated millions of registered users throughout its history, has managed to remain profitable despite fierce competition from global players and the financial pressures imposed by application stores. Sua survival is a testament to the ability to adapt and create a niche of value for your users.

The long trajectory and evolution of the platform

Founded in a period where the online relationship scenario at Polônia was practically unexplored, Fotka.pl directed its initial investments towards building a robust infrastructure, with servers and internet connections capable of supporting growing demand. Esse technical focus allowed accelerated growth, and in 2005 the company had a team of 80 employees to manage the high volume of traffic. However, the arrival of international competitors such as Tinder has drastically changed market dynamics, requiring strategic reinvention. Fotka.pl’s response was to transform its business model, migrating from a community portal to a dating app with an emphasis on premium interactions. Essa transition included the introduction of paid services, such as the ability to see who visited your profile and unlimited messaging, monetizing features that added real value to the user experience. The company also began to value authentic connections, transforming the success stories of couples formed on the platform into a powerful organic marketing tool, which helped solidify its relevance and maintain a loyal user base.

Financial pressure from technology giants

The main source of tension for developers like Fotka.pl lies in the commissions charged by Google and Apple, which can reach up to 30% on all internal transactions. Kołosiński highlights the contrast with more regulated markets, such as Coreia of Sul, where legislation imposes a 4% cap on these fees. The absence of similar regulation in União Europeia creates a competitive disadvantage for local companies, which are forced to use big tech payment systems, reinforcing a dependence that directly impacts their finances.

In 2024, Fotka.pl recorded revenue of 3.75 million zlotys, with around 90% of this amount coming from premium subscriptions. Embora the company maintains a healthy net margin of approximately 30%, this number has been pressured by rising user acquisition costs and, mainly, transaction fees. Essa constant financial pressure forces the company to focus intensely on operational optimization and explore new sources of revenue to ensure long-term sustainability in an increasingly challenging business environment.

Demographic challenges in the dating market

In addition to economic pressure, the dating app industry in Polônia faces a significant demographic challenge. Estima The number of young people entering the dating market is expected to decline at a rate of 2% per year, shrinking the main target audience for the entire sector.

This trend is accompanied by a change in the behavior of younger generations, who show less interest in long-term relationships. The preference for casual interactions and the postponement of long-term commitments end up increasing the average age of active users on the platforms.

This demographic and behavioral transformation forces companies to rethink their strategies. It is necessary to invest in resources that attract and retain older age groups, while at the same time seeking to engage the remaining young audience with value propositions that go beyond ephemeral connections.

The growth of organized fraud

User safety has become a crucial battlefront, with dating app fraud evolving from isolated scams into a highly structured industry. Grupos criminals operate on a massive scale, using hundreds of fake accounts to deceive and extort victims.

Scammers often create fake profiles of attractive professionals, such as U.S. military personnel deployed abroad or international businesspeople. Eles invest time in building a virtual relationship to gain the victim’s trust before requesting money under false pretenses.

Another dangerous tactic is blackmail, where criminals threaten to expose intimate conversations or images if the victim does not make payments. In some cases, investigations point to the involvement of organized groups with links to state interests.

To combat this threat, Fotka.pl invests heavily in detection algorithms and continuous human moderation. Apesar Despite the high effectiveness of these systems, vigilance by users and immediate reporting to authorities continue to be essential for individual and collective protection.

Impact of artificial intelligence

Looking to the future, artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a new and complex challenge for relationship platforms. Marek Kołosiński expressed concern that increasingly advanced conversational bots could offer more attentive and personalized interactions than many human partners, meeting emotional needs like active listening and constant validation.

This technological evolution could, paradoxically, reduce people’s interest in traditional human connections, which involve complexities and imperfections. Diante In this scenario, platforms like Fotka.pl reinforce their position on authenticity, using success stories of real couples as proof of the irreplaceable value of genuine interactions. The challenge will be to find a balance between technological innovation and preserving the fundamental human experience that is at the heart of your business.

Profitability and future prospects

Despite all the obstacles, Fotka.pl continues to operate profitably, supported by its business model focused on premium services. The company’s financial stability allows for continued investment in critical areas such as security, moderation and improving the user experience, factors that differentiate it in a competitive market.

While the European dating app market faces gradual shrinkage, there are still significant opportunities in niches focused on quality and security. Regulation, in turn, can change the game. With the intensification of actions by União Europeia regulators against big techs under Digital Markets Act, there is an expectation that the playing field will become more level in the coming years, benefiting smaller competitors. Para companies like Fotka.pl, the ability to constantly adapt will continue to be the determining factor for success and survival in the dynamic digital sector.