The North Dakota Senate this week introduced a new bill that would prevent Apple and Google from requiring developers to use their respective app stores and payment methods, paving the way for alternative app store options, reports The Bismarck Tribune (through The edge).
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According to Senator Kyle Davison, who introduced Senate Law 2333 yesterday, the legislation is intended to create “equal opportunities” for North Dakota app developers and protect customers from “devastating, monopolistic fees imposed by major technology companies,” referring to the cut that Apple and Google take from developers.
Specifically, the bill would prevent Apple from requiring a developer to use a digital application distribution platform as the exclusive way to distribute a digital product, and would prevent the company from requiring developers to use in-app use purchases as the exclusive way to accept payment. of a user. There are also terms that prevent Apple from retaliating against developers who opt for alternative distribution and payment methods.
Apple Chief Privacy Engineer Erik Neuenschwander spoke out against the bill, saying it “threatens to destroy the iPhone as you know it” by demanding changes that “undermine the privacy, security, safety and performance” of the “iPhone”.
Neuenschwander said Apple is “working hard” to keep bad apps out of the App Store, and that, according to the North Dakota bill, we should “let them in.”
Apple does not allow apps to be installed on iOS devices outside of the App Store and no alternative App Store options are available. Apple reviews every app that is made available for its customers to download, something that wouldn’t happen with a third party app store option.
Apple also doesn’t let app developers accept payments via methods other than in-app purchases, except in certain situations, a policy that has led to Apple’s legal battle with Epic Games. Epic Games added an alternative payment method to Fortnite last year, banning the app from the App Store.
Basecamp co-founder David Heinemeier Hansson, who was also involved in a legal battle with Apple over the email app “HEY” last year, testified in favor of SB 2333 and said it gives him hope that “tech monopolies will not rule. the world forever. “
The North Dakota SB 2333 is the first real, concrete bill I’ve seen that actually gives me hope that tech monopolies won’t rule the world forever. Fargo or Bismarck sound like beautiful places to shop under a shield against abuse 😂😍 – DHH (@dhh) February 9, 2021
In 2020, Apple faced a US antitrust investigation into its App Store fees and policies, resulting in a 450-page report calling for new antitrust laws aimed at promoting fair competition in digital markets, strengthening laws regarding mergers and monopolization, and the restoration of strong oversight. and antitrust enforcement.
No federal legislation has yet been enacted, and the North Dakota Senate Commission has not taken any action against the bill. Senator Jerry Klein said there is “still a bit of worry” regarding the bill.