New U.S. antitrust bill would force Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores and sideloading

New bipartisan antitrust legislation targeting the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store was introduced today by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, Marsha Blackburn and Amy Klobuchar.

The law on open application markets [PDF] aims to create “fair, clear and enforceable rules” that will protect competition and strengthen consumer protection. According to the three senators, Apple and Google have “custodial control” of the two major mobile operating systems and their app stores, allowing them to dictate the conditions of the app market.

Under the bill, which applies to companies that own or control an App Store‌ with more than 50,000,000 users, Apple would not be able to require developers to use its own system. in-app purchase, and it would be required to allow developers to distribute apps through alternative app stores.

Apple should provide “easily accessible means” for iPhone users to install third-party apps or app stores outside of Apple’s own ‌App Store‌, and it should allow customers to choose apps and stores from default third-party apps while hiding standard Apple apps.

Other wording in the bill would prevent Apple from retaliating against developers who decided to distribute apps using alternative means, and Apple would also not be allowed to unreasonably favor its own apps. The company should provide developers with access to operating system interfaces, development information, and hardware and software functionality.

In a statement, Blumenthal said the legislation would break Apple and Google’s competitive stranglehold in the app market while giving mobile users more control over their devices.

“This legislation will tear down coercive anti-competitive walls in the app economy, giving consumers more choice and small tech start-ups a fighting chance. so-called benevolent stewards of this multibillion dollar market. I am proud to join with Senators Blackburn and Klobuchar in this decisive blow against Big Tech intimidation. This bipartisan bill will help break the rock-solid hold of these tech giants, open up the app economy to new competitors, and give mobile users more control over their own devices. “

Blackburn said that Apple’s and Google’s refusal to allow third-party app stores is a “direct affront to a free and fair market, and Klobuchar said the legislation level the playing field and will ensure an” innovative market and competitive”.

In an interview with ReutersBlumenthal said he found the two companies’ “predatory abuses” “deeply offensive on so many levels.” He said he expects additional legislation in the House of Representatives “very soon”.

Earlier this year, U.S. lawmakers introduced sweeping antitrust legislation that would lead to major changes in the tech industry if passed, with the measures coming as the culmination of a 16-month antitrust investigation.

Update: In a statement to MacRumors, Apple reiterated its commitment to ensuring that applications are delivered to customers in a safe and trustworthy manner.

“Since our founding, we’ve always put our users at the center of everything we do, and the App Store is the cornerstone of our work to connect developers and customers in a safe and trustworthy way. The result was an unprecedented result. engine of economic growth and innovation, which now supports more than 2.1 million jobs in 50 states. At Apple, our goal is to maintain an App Store where people can be confident that every app must meet our strict guidelines and their confidentiality and security are protected. “

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