A new bipartisan antitrust bill was introduced today by senators Richard Blumenthal, Marsha Blackburn, and Amy Klobuchar, and it targets Apple and Google, along with the power they wield on their app stores. If the bill passes, then Apple and Google would have to support third-party payments options and other changes, which have been discussed at length here.
U.S. Senators Believe Apple and Google Have an ‘Ironclad’ Grip and Consumers Are Being Kept in the Dark
The terms of the bill state that any company whose app store controls more than 50 million users, such as Apple and Google, would not require developers to use its own payment systems. Additionally, these developers would be allowed to distribute their apps to alternative app stores. Senator Blackburn says that Apple’s and Google’s practices discourage a fair marketplace.
Companies like Apple would also not take action against developers that distribute their apps elsewhere. Such firms would also need to provide these developers access to operating system interfaces, hardware and software features, and more. Senator Klobuchar implies that the power that Apple and Google wield stifles competition, which puts small businesses and consumers in harm’s way.
Apple recently settled a lawsuit with iOS virtualization firm Corellium, which may give senators some hope regarding their legislation. We will update our readers if it gets passed.
News Source: Blumenthal
