Apple & Google's App Store monopoly, crushing potential competitors with exploitative fees

guest · Aug 19, 2021

Australian antitrust regulator mulls regulations to open Apple, Google app stores
August 19, 2021
https://appleinsider.com/articles/2...s-regulations-to-open-apple-google-app-stores

The chair of Australia's competition watchdog says "upfront rules and regulations" might be necessary to curtail perceived effects of Apple and Google's duopoly in the app store space.

In a speech prepared for the Global Competition Review webinar scheduled for Thursday, Rod Sims, chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, plans to address the topic of app store competition and outline steps the body may take in response to anti-competition concerns, reports The Guardian.

"It is likely, however, that upfront rules and regulation may be needed to achieve these objectives," Sims said, according to an advance copy of his speech seen by the publication. "We are closely following overseas moves that aim to address the same competition and consumer concerns that we have identified."
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guest · Aug 25, 2021

Google and Apple app store policies threatened by another new bill
August 25, 2021
https://www.ghacks.net/2021/08/25/g...tore-policies-threatened-by-another-new-bill/

Just a few weeks ago, we heard about the bill that the U.S senate presented known as the Open Apps Market Act that, if passed, would cause significant changes in the app store policies for Google and Apple. Now, South Korea is also voting on a similar bill to put an end to the 30% cut taken from in-app purchases.

Both Google and Apple may see big changes coming to their in-app developer payment systems for teams in South Korea. The country’s legislators will be voting and giving their final verdict today. This new bill, similar to the one posed in the U.S, will seek to stop the tech giants from forcing developers to obey the exorbitant in-app purchase policies.
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This newest legislation is an amendment to the ‘Anti-Google law’, more officially known as the Telecommunications Business Act
This bill will ban Google from taking a 30% cut from in-app purchases and give developers the freedom to use other payment systems outside of Google and Apple.
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South Korea has Apple and Google app store commission in its crosshairs
August 25, 2021
https://www.verdict.co.uk/south-korea-apple-google-app-store-vote/

South Korea is set to vote on legislation that would prevent Apple and Google from charging software developers commission on in-app purchases in a potentially damaging move for the tech giants’ revenue streams.
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guest · Aug 27, 2021

In major policy change, Apple will allow developers to email customers about alternatives to App Store billing
August 26, 2021
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/26/app...il-customers-to-bypass-app-store-billing.html

Apple will allow app developers to email their users about alternative purchase options, in a major change to App Store policies.

App makers want to contact their customers directly to encourage them to pay directly and avoid Apple’s App Store fees, which range from 15% to 30% of gross sales.

The policy change is because Apple has settled a class action lawsuit with developers who alleged that Apple monopolized distribution for iOS apps and in-app purchases.

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Apple will allow app developers to email their users about non-Apple purchase options, in a major change to App Store policies.

Previously, Apple prohibited app makers to steer users through email to their websites to pay for digital products. App makers want to contact their customers directly to encourage them to pay directly and avoid Apple’s App Store fees, which range from 15% to 30% of gross sales.

“To give developers even more flexibility to reach their customers, Apple is also clarifying that developers can use communications, such as email, to share information about payment methods outside of their iOS app,” Apple said in a press release. “As always, developers will not pay Apple a commission on any purchases taking place outside of their app or the App Store. Users must consent to the communication and have the right to opt out.”
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Separately from this settlement, Apple is also facing significant pressure on its App Store policies and commission rate from regulators and lawmakers around the world, and was engaged in a high-profile antitrust trial against Fortnite maker Epic Games. A judge’s decision in the Epic Games trial is expected later this year.

The law firm representing the plaintiffs, Hagens Berman, said that more information would be available at a settlement website, although it is not operational yet.
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stapp · Sep 23, 2021

Apple has banned Fortnite from its App Store until a legal battle with the game's maker Epic has concluded, according to Tim Sweeney, chief executive of Epic Games.
This means the popular game won't be available for new users to download on iPhones or other Apple devices.
Mr Sweeney called out Apple in a series of tweets and said the appeals process may take about five years to complete.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58669512

guest · Oct 8, 2021

After Epic v. Apple, a small developer is challenging Apple’s in-app payment system
Paddle’s system looks to go up against Apple’s
October 7, 2021
https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/7/22714677/apple-in-app-payment-competitor-paddle-epic-ruling

The ambiguous finish to the Epic v. Apple trial opened a tiny crack in Apple’s control over in-app payments on the iPhone — and now, a small developer is trying to crawl through it.

A company called Paddle has announced its own in-app payment system that will take a smaller cut than Apple’s system — 5 to 10 percent, instead of the 15 to 30 percent cut claimed by Apple. It’s a way around the commission fees that started the fight with Epic in the first place and likely to be the beginning of a new fight for developers.
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Paddle’s system is designed to take advantage of the Epic v. Apple verdict, which required Apple to allow external payment links.
One of Paddle’s biggest selling points is its fees — Apple famously takes a 30 percent cut (or a 15 percent cut if you make less than $1 million on the App Store in a year) on in-app purchases for most developers.

Paddle is offering a 10 percent cut on payments less than $10 and a 5 percent plus $0.50 charge on payments above $10. It’s not hard to see how switching from Apple’s payment system would be attractive for some developers.
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It plans on launching its in-app payment service on December 7th, and the company’s CEO said that it “would welcome Apple’s view on this to bring more clarity.” Apple didn’t immediately respond to request for comment on Paddle’s plans.

Paddle also lists other benefits of its IAP platform, such as developers being able to price their app how they want without worrying if Apple will approve, the ability to set pricing on a country-by-country basis, and the ability to provide coupons. And, of course, the smaller cut.
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guest · Oct 9, 2021

Apple reveals why it won't let Fortnite back on the App Store
October 9, 2021
https://www.imore.com/apple-reveals-why-it-wont-let-fortnite-back-app-store

Apple has filed an appeal against the ruling in the Epic Games trial, in the process confirming why it won't let Fortnite back on the App Store or restore Epic's developer account.

Apple has filed an appeal against the ruling and asked for a stay of the injunction that would stop it from prohibiting developers linking to external payment methods. In the course of the appeal, Apple said that the court should stay the injunction for a number of reasons including the fact that Epic Games no longer has a developer program account with Apple or any live apps on the App Store.
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Apple rejected Epic's request to bring Fortnite back to the App Store in September stating it would not reinstate the account until the legal battle had run its full course. On Friday, Apple told the court:
Following the Court's decision, Mr. Sweeney stated publicly that

"Fortnite will return to the iOS App Store when and where Epic can offer in-app payment in fair competition with Apple in-app payment, passing along the savings to the consumer.
He continued: "Thinking much more about whether we're going to live in a world where two platform megacorps dictate software and world commerce to everyone or whether the digital world and the future metaverse will be a free world. Wouldn't trade that away to get Fortnite back on iOS."
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guest · Oct 22, 2021

Google lowers Play Store fees for more apps amid scrutiny from regulators
Google is going as low as 10% for some services.
October 21, 2021
https://www.androidcentral.com/google-lowers-developer-app-store-fees

What you need to know

Google has announced that it is changing its developer Play Store fee structure.

All subscriptions on Google Play will have reduced fees from 30% to 15% on day one.

Some services like ebooks and music streaming apps will be eligible for as low as 10%.

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Google announced some changes to its Play Store fee structure on Thursday that should benefit app developers and is likely put more money in their pockets.

The company states that starting January 1, 2022, all subscription-based apps on the Play Store will have a reduced service fee, from 30% to 15%. Google says the change was made after acknowledging that while subscriptions "have become one of the fastest growing models for developers," they still face challenges with consumer churn.
This contrasts the current model, which charges 30% from the start and drops it to 15% after the first year.
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Meanwhile, Google claims that 99% of apps on its platform already qualified for its reduced 15% service fee and has made changes to its fee structure this year to help developers, introducing a program in March that cut the standard 30% in half for the first million in revenue.
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Rasheed187 · Oct 23, 2021

mood said: ↑

Google lowers Play Store fees for more apps amid scrutiny from regulators
Google is going as low as 10% for some services.
October 21, 2021
https://www.androidcentral.com/google-lowers-developer-app-store-fees
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And this move hammered Alphabet's stockprice yesterday. But I believe a huge Wall Street crash is coming soon anyway, I think it will become a 30% correction if you look at all of the economical problems in the world. So I have sold almost all of my stocks.

guest · Nov 3, 2021

Facebook offering holiday incentive for creators to circumvent App Store fees
November 3, 2021
https://9to5mac.com/2021/11/03/facebook-gets-creators-around-app-store-fees/

In the latest move to get around Apple’s 30% App Store commission, Facebook is launching custom web links for creators to take payments with “Facebook Pay.” As it stands today, it seems the maneuver is allowed via an App Store rules gray area and Facebook is even giving bonuses to creators who use the new option for the holiday quarter.

The latest move from Facebook in this battle was laid out in a blog post today (via The Verge):

Keep what you earn
Earlier this year, as part of our commitment to supporting creators, we shared that Facebook would not collect any fees from creators on Subscriptions purchases until 2023, at the earliest. Creators, however, must still forfeit 15-30% of their earnings to companies like Apple whenever people purchase Subscriptions within the Facebook app on mobile devices. For recurring payments like subscriptions, this adds up quickly since that fee is paid every single month.
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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared the following about the new way to avoid App Store fees:

As we build for the metaverse, we’re focused on unlocking opportunities for creators to make money from their work. The 30% fees that Apple takes on transactions make it harder to do that, so we’re updating our Subscriptions product so now creators can earn more. More details in the comments below
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guest · Nov 4, 2021

mood said: ↑

Google and Apple app store policies threatened by another new bill
August 25, 2021
https://www.ghacks.net/2021/08/25/g...tore-policies-threatened-by-another-new-bill/

South Korea has Apple and Google app store commission in its crosshairs
August 25, 2021
https://www.verdict.co.uk/south-korea-apple-google-app-store-vote/
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Google is allowing third-party payments on Android in South Korea
November 4, 2021
https://www.techspot.com/news/92084-google-allowing-third-party-payments-android-south-korea.html

What just happened? Google announced this week that it's complying with the new South Korean law that says it must allow alternate payment systems for Android apps. The company will also reduce service fees for transactions that use third-party payment, on top of other changes it made last month.

Google notified South Korean Android developers that they could begin adding alternate payment options to their apps. When Android users in South Korea make Google Play Store purchases, they'll have the choice to pay through Google Play or a third-party billing system during checkout. The service fee reductions on third-party billing will compound with the fee reductions Google discussed in an October 21 blog post on its Android developer blog.
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The new law Google is complying with passed South Korea's national assembly at the end of August. South Korea became the first country in the world to ban app store owners like Apple and Google from forcing developers to route purchases through their billing systems. It even became known as the "Anti-Google Law" in South Korea. Apple has yet to comply.
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guest · Nov 9, 2021

Judge Says Apple Has Until December 9 to Make App Store Change Letting Developers Link to Alternate Payment Methods
November 9, 2021
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/11/09/judge-delays-apple-stay-request-epic-case/

Following a virtual hearing earlier today, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has denied Apple's request to delay the implementation of a permanent injunction that will require Apple to make significant App Store changes.

As part of the judgement in the Apple v. Epic lawsuit, Judge Gonzalez Rogers is requiring Apple to allow developers to add in-app links to outside websites, paving the way for alternate payment options that do not require developers to use the in-app purchase system.
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Apple's request was denied and judge is not providing Apple with any additional time to add the requested ‌App Store‌ functionality, so the changes will need to be made by December 9. Based on the wording of the initial ruling, Apple will be prohibited from restricting developers from including "in their apps and their metadata buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms."
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Apple told The Verge that it will appeal to the Ninth Circuit for a stay after being denied by Judge Gonzalez Rogers. "Apple believes no additional business changes should be required to take effect until all appeals in this case are resolved. We intend to ask the Ninth Circuit for a stay based on these circumstances," the spokesperson said.
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guest · Nov 13, 2021

Apple sued over iOS App Store monopoly (again)
November 13, 2021
https://www.imore.com/apple-sued-over-ios-app-store-monopoly-again

What you need to know

Apple has been sued over its App Store again.

It faces a class-action lawsuit in California.

The suit claims the usual list of grievances regarding iOS and Apple's App Store.

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As noted by AppleInsider, a class-action lawsuit filed against the company in California claims that Apple is engaged in anti-competitive behavior by limiting devices that use iOS to only using iOS, and by making developers agree to App Store terms that include restricting third-party app stores and payments, funneling all business through Apple's own in-app payments through which Apple can take a commission.
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The suit's grievances line up pretty much with those of the high-profile Epic Games trial. Earlier this week a court denied Apple's motion to delay an injunction passed down against the company which will prevent it from prohibiting developers from telling users about other ways to pay for apps and will let them link to external payment methods such as a website.

The ruling in the case has been appealed by both Apple and Epic to the Ninth Circuit, and will likely drag on for several more years.
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guest · Nov 16, 2021

Epic's Tim Sweeney calls Google 'crazy,' says 'Apple must be stopped'
November 16, 2021
https://appleinsider.com/articles/2...calls-google-crazy-says-apple-must-be-stopped

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has used his speech at a South Korea conference to lambast both Apple and Google, plus promote his plan for one app store for all devices.

The Coalition for App Fairness's Global Conference on Mobile App Ecosystem Fairness is taking place in South Korea. Tim Sweeney has been speaking at the conference, and also talking to local press.
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According to Bloomberg, Sweeney says he is working with developers and unspecified service providers to make an app store that would mean users could "buy software in one place, knowing that they'd have it on all devices and all platforms."

"Apple locks a billion users into one store and payment processor," he said.
Calling Google "crazy" for its system of fees, Sweeney praised South Korea for its new App Store law.
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guest · Nov 18, 2021

Apple's Plan to Pay $100 Million to Settle Developer Lawsuit Gets Preliminary Approval From Judge
November 17, 2021
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/11/17/apple-developer-settlement-preliminary-approval/

Back in August, Apple said that it would pay out $100 million and make several changes to the App Store to settle a class-action lawsuit brought about by developers, and the settlement offer received preliminary approval yesterday from Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers, who is overseeing that case in addition to the Epic v. Apple lawsuit.

Under the terms of the agreement, Apple will create a $100 million "fund," which developers can access based on their historic ‌App Store‌ proceeds. Developers who earned $1 million or less through the U.S. storefront for their apps in every calendar year between June 4, 2015 and April 26, 2021 can receive between $250 and $30,000. Higher payments will be made to those who have participated more extensively in the ‌App Store‌ ecosystem.
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Eligible developers will be able to make claims when the settlement receives final approval, and can sign up to be alerted when claims are being accepted through a website created for the lawsuit.
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The lawsuit dates back to 2019, when a group of iOS developers accused Apple of using its ‌App Store‌ monopoly to impose "profit-killing" commissions. The developers were unhappy with Apple's 30 percent cut, an issue that was largely resolved when Apple introduced the App Store Small Business Program and cut commissions to 15 percent for developers making under $1 million in a given calendar year.
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guest · Dec 6, 2021

Apple fails to get Australia to drop Epic Games lawsuit
December 2, 2021

A temporary stay on the case of Epic Games vs Apple App Store in Australia has been overturned, and the trial will begin shortly.

The Australian case, expected to go to trial in November 2022, had been granted a temporary stay by the Federal Court in Sydney. The grounds for the stay were that Apple argued its contract with Epic Games stipulated that disputes must first be filed in California.
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According to Yahoo News in Australia, that stay was overturned in July by a full bench of that court. Now the High Court in Canberra has refused Apple's request for special leave to appeal.

"Fortnite" game maker Epic, had argued that allowing Apple to dictate where a dispute could be heard, would have a "chilling effect" on competition in Australia. The court has agreed, saying that this jurisdiction contract clause "would offend" Australian public policy.
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guest · Jul 29, 2022

Apple & Google facing new class action lawsuit in Portugal over 30% app store fees
July 27, 2022

Apple and Google have been hit by class action complaints in Portugal alleging that their 30% app marketplace commission rates are "anticompetitive and excessive."

The claims, filed with the Portuguese Competition Court by a Portuguese law school professor, seek damages amounting up to 100 million euros. According to Hausfeld, the law firm representing the case, the complaints allege that Apple and Google have "systematically acted in contravention of competition law" by overcharging Portuguese customers.
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Professor Fabrizio Esposito, the filer, seeks to act as a class representative for up to 2.9 million Apple App Store users and 3.6 million Google Play Store users.

The complaint claims that the 30% cut of app and in-app purchases on the App Store and Play Store is anticompetitive and raising prices for consumers. It also claims that the two tech giants would be unable to charge the fees if they didn't impose technical and contractual restrictions prohibiting other app stores.

"This is the latest in a series of claims and regulatory investigations against the technology giants, who are accused of breaching competition law by charging 30% commission on all purchases of apps, in-app content and subscriptions, generating massive and rising profits," said partner attorney Lesley Hannah.
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guest · Aug 1, 2022

Apple is sued by French app developers over app store fees
August 1, 2022

Apple Inc (AAPL.O) was sued on Monday by French app developers that accused the iPhone maker of violating U.S. antitrust law by overcharging them to use its app store.

The plaintiffs in the proposed class action include Société du Figaro, which develops the Figaro news app; L'Équipe 24/24, which develops the L'Équipe sports news and streaming app, and Le Geste, an association of French content providers.
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According to the complaint filed in the federal court in Oakland, California, Apple has abused its monopoly power over app distribution on iOS-based mobile devices by mandating only one app store for those devices.

The plaintiffs said this has enabled the Cupertino, California-based company to charge "supracompetitive" 30% commissions for 14 years, as well as $99 annual fees to app developers, while stifling innovation and consumer choice.

"There is no valid business necessity or pro-competitive justification for Apple's conduct," the complaint said. "Instead, Apple's actions are designed to destroy competition."
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guest · Aug 11, 2022

Epic Games versus Apple appeals to be heard on October 21
August 11, 2022

The US Court of Appeals will now hear from Apple and Epic Games, both of which are appealing against aspects of the antitrust rulings from their previous App Store lawsuit.

Apple chiefly won its case against the "Fortnite" games developer. The company objects to certain details of the ruling.
Specifically, Apple opposes the "anti-steering" aspects of the decision. Apple says that Epic didn't produce enough evidence to prove the ruling, and as such, that aspect should be tossed.
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Now according to FOSS Patents, the appeals hearing will be held on Friday, October 21, 2022. It will be heard in Courtroom 3 of the James R. Browning US Courthouse in San Francisco.

No scheduled time has been announced, but the court's docket has Epic Games versus Apple as its fifth case of the day. The format for the appeals court sees each side being given 20 minutes to make their case.
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guest · Sep 3, 2022

Google will allow alternative payment systems for Play Store in more countries
By Ivan Mehta @indianidle - September 2, 2022

Google announced today it’s expanding the user choice billing program for Play Store — which lets users choose alternative payment systems for in-app purchases — to India, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, and the European Economic Area. The company is calling all non-gaming developers globally to apply for this program, and if they qualify, they can use third-party payment systems in the above-mentioned regions.

The search giant introduced a similar policy for non-gaming developers and users in the EEA region in July. The new guidelines are an extension of that.
With the new announcement, Google is offering a 4% discount on fees to developers. The company said it will reveal more details about that in the coming weeks and months.
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The company said it will reveal more details about that in the coming weeks and months.
This information is critical for a lot of developers as the percentage cut Google takes will determine if they want to go through the hassle of switching payment processors.

While this new expansion includes some of the largest Android markets like India and Indonesia, it ignores the U.S. market where lawmakers are exploring rules that aim to curb Apple and Google’s monopoly over app stores. In July, the firm agreed to a $90 million settlement with U.S.-based developers over the issue of Play Store fees.

“Android has always been a uniquely open operating system, and we continue to evolve our platform and increase the choices available to developers and users, while maintaining our ability to invest in the ecosystem. We will be sharing more in the coming months as we continue to build and iterate with our pilot partners,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.
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guest · Oct 26, 2022

Spotify says Apple is ‘choking competition’ and ruining its audiobook store
The music streaming service calls out Apple’s 30 percent commissions and says its rules make it harder to sell audiobooks
By Emma Roth - October 25, 2022

Spotify says Apple is making it harder to sell audiobooks, an offering Spotify just introduced last month. The company called Apple practices “anticompetitive” and said it was “choking competition” in a blog post published just before the company revealed its earnings report on Tuesday.
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Spotify says Apple’s rules make the process of buying an audiobook on Spotify “far too complicated and confusing,” adding that Apple changes its “rules arbitrarily, making them impossible to interpret.” Apple charges up to a 30 percent commission on purchases made in apps listed on the App Store, and bars certain developers from using or directing users to an external payment processor.

As outlined in a webpage Spotify specifically made to support its cause, the company says Apple rejected its proposed audiobook purchasing process three times because it went against the App Store’s policies.
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guest · Nov 11, 2022

Google Play to pilot third-party billing in new markets, including US; Bumble joins Spotify as early tester
By Sarah Perez @sarahintampa - November 10, 2022

Google today announced it’s expanding its user choice billing pilot, which allows Android app developers to use other payment systems besides Google’s own. The program will now become available to new markets, including the U.S., Brazil and South Africa, and Bumble will now join Spotify as one of the pilot testers. Google additionally announced Spotify will now begin rolling out its implementation of the program starting this week.

The company first announced its intention to launch a third-party billing option back in March of this year, with Spotify as the initial tester.
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Last month, for example, Google invited other non-game developers to apply for the user choice billing program in select markets, including India, Australia, Indonesia, Japan and the European Economic Area (EEA). The company also introduced a similar policy for developers in the EEA region in July, but the new guidelines raised the commission discount from 3% to 4% for developers who opted in. With today’s expansion, user choice billing will be made available to 35 countries worldwide.

If the user selects Google Play billing, they’ll be transitioned to the usual experience and will be able to track their subscription in the Google Play Store’s Subscription Center. If the user selects Spotify billing, they’ll then continue within Spotify’s own checkout process and user experience.
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This test will become available in a few markets at first, then expand to others over the coming weeks, Spotify says.

“Spotify has been publicly advocating for platform fairness and expanded payment options for years. We believe that fair and open platforms enable better, frictionless consumer experiences that also empower developers to imagine, innovate, and thrive,” a Spotify blog post stated.
While the general terms offer a 4% reduction in commissions paid to Google when user choice billing is used, Spotify wouldn’t comment on its confidential deal with Google, but notes it meets the company’s standards of fairness. It’s unclear if the streamer has been offered more favorable terms as an early adopter.
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These changes follow a period when the major app stores from Apple and Google have been under pressure from lawmakers and regulators in global markets to open up their app ecosystems. This includes pressure to give developers the ability to use third-party payment systems and allow developers to inform customers of other ways to pay, among other things.
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Google: Continuing our Commitment to User Choice Billing

by Paul Feng - November 10, 2022
Building on Android’s long history of continuously evolving to provide users and developers more flexibility and choice, we announced earlier this year that we would begin exploring expanded billing options on Google Play through our user choice billing pilot. At the heart of this pilot is our belief that the best way to offer alternative billing for in-app purchases is to put the choice in the hands of users.
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guest · Nov 19, 2022

Epic alleges Google paid $360 million to keep Activision from launching its own app store
By Jay Peters @jaypeters - November 18, 2022

Activision Blizzard and Riot Games at one point told Google they might launch their own mobile app stores, according to new documents filed in Epic’s antitrust lawsuit against the search giant. The details came to light as part of allegations about major deals signed with the two companies. Google allegedly agreed to pay Activision about $360 million over three years and Riot about $30 million for a one-year deal.
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Another document is a deposition from an unnamed witness that seems to be someone who is or was involved with “Project Hug,” Google’s program designed to incentivize and support Play Store developers. In the deposition, the witness says that Riot Games told Google it was considering launching a competing Android app store. Later, the witness says that “Riot and Activision Blizzard King were the ones that were the most direct with us” about considering starting their own app stores.

Project Hug agreements first came to light in August 2021 as part of an unredacted Epic complaint.
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One of Epic’s exhibits also contains a list of more than 20 companies Google has signed Project Hug (now technically the “Games Velocity Program”) deals with as of July 2022. Activision and Riot are both listed, as are big gaming companies like EA, Niantic, Nintendo, Tencent, and Ubisoft.
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guest · Jan 19, 2023

Brazil watchdog investigates Apple over App Store payment rules
By Andrew Orr @andrewornot@masto.social - January 19, 2023

Brazil's antitrust watchdog CADE is investigating a complaint against Apple for alleged anti-competitive practices with the App Store.
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The Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Economica (CADE) is looking into a complaint from MercadoLibre that was filed in December 2022, according to a report from Reuters. "Similar investigations are being conducted by antitrust authorities in other jurisdictions," CADE said.

MercadoLibre argued that Apple imposes restrictions on the distribution of digital goods and in-app purchases, such as requiring developers who offer digital goods or services inside an app to use Apple's payment system, which is an Apple requirement.
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Apple's rule of requiring developers to use its payment systems and the 30% fee it imposes has long been a point of contention with developers and companies.
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guest · Jan 20, 2023

Spotify Pens Joint Letter Calling Apple 'Harmful' and 'Anti-Competitive,' Claims App Store Ruins Business
By Sami Fathi @SamiFathi_ - January 20, 2023

Spotify and eight companies and associations have written a letter to the EU Commission's executive vice president calling Apple a harmful, anti-competitive, and monopolistic company that must be regulated through "urgent action."
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The letter, signed by the CEOs and heads of Basecamp, Deezer, Proton, Schibsted, Spotify, European Publishers Council (EPC), France Digitale, and News Media Europe, was sent to Margrethe Vestager of the EU. The letter urges the EU to take regulatory action and conclude an ongoing investigation triggered by Spotify against Apple's app distribution practices.

The group claims Apple's App Store has hindered their businesses and consistently makes it difficult for them to grow due to the platform's policies and its "capricious changes to terms and conditions."

"The time has come for urgent action from the EU to end Apple's abusive behaviors," the letter says, citing the newly passed Digital Markets Act (DMA) and calling for its swift enforcement. "The EU has the opportunity to take the lead, but it must act fast, as every day that passes is a loss for innovation and for the welfare of European consumers," it continues.
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guest · Feb 1, 2023

White House calls Apple and Google 'harmful' in bid to cut app store fees
By William Gallagher @WGallagher - February 2, 2023

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration wants Apple and Google to be forced to have third-party app stores, saying that as-is, the model inflates prices and reduces innovation.
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As Apple prepares to raise App Store prices outside the US, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) says that Apple and Google's business model "is harmful to consumers and developers."

Following an investigation, then NTIA says it has found that the current "mobile app store model has provided a range of benefits to both app developers and users, but has also created conditions of competition that are suboptimal."

"The policies that Apple and Google have in place... have created unnecessary barriers and costs for app developers," says the NTIA's full report, "ranging from fees for access to functional restrictions that favor some apps over others."
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Apple & Google's App Store monopoly, crushing potential competitors with exploitative fees

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