Appstore legislation - thoughts

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cynical.ly
Aug 11, 2021 13 Comments

A new bipartisan bill would shake up the way Apple and Google run their mobile app stores. Some of the provisions:
1. Apple and Google would not be allowed to force their in-app payment system on every app.

2. They would also be prohibited from punishing developers for using different pricing terms through another system.ย So Spotify can charge less of you buy directly.

3. They also would be prohibited from keeping developers from communicating with app users about "legitimate business offers. So Spotify can offer in-app payment option, but also tell users that if they sign up on web, they can get it for cheaper.

4. The bill would aim to allow for third-party app stores. This is a no-op for Android, but a new one for iOS. But I suspect it would not have much impact on the reality if Android usage is anything to go by.

5. The Open App Markets Act would prohibit large app store operators from using nonpublic business information from a third-party app to compete with it.

What do you think? Would the bill pass? Would it have any impact on Apple or Google's bottom line?

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