U.S. senators to oppose Apple and Google app stores with Open App Markets Act

U.S. senators to oppose Apple and Google app stores with Open App Markets Act

Washington, 8/16/2021

US _ Senators have introduced the „Open App Markets Act.“ This is a bipartisan bill that would restrict Apple and Google’s ability to control the distribution of apps in their app stores.

The bill would allow app providers to use their own payment systems and prevent app stores from penalizing app providers for offering their apps at lower prices in other app stores or through their own systems. The bill would also prohibit Apple and Google from using non-public data from their app stores to develop their own competing apps.

Background:

In 2020, Epic Games had filed suit against Apple and Google seeking an injunction similar to the proposed bill.

In April, the U.S. – Senate had invited executives from Spotify, Tile and Match Group to explain how Apple and Google’s app stores have harmed their companies.

36 state attorneys general joined a lawsuit against Google over its app store model. Google and Apple had claimed that their app stores would benefit consumers and provide businesses with a platform to make money.