Cammack Introduces Bill Promoting App Store Competition

Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) has introduced legislation to promote competition in the mobile app marketplace while protecting consumers.

Named the App Store Freedom Act, Rep. Cammack's bill specifically targets app store operators with over 100 million American users. It includes several provisions, such as allowing users to set and install third-party apps or app stores as default and remove or hide pre-installed apps.

Other user-friendly provisions include prohibiting developers from requiring the use of in-app payment systems, imposing pricing parities, or punishing developers for distributing apps to other platforms.

Additionally, app store operators must allow developers to have equal access to interfaces, features, and tools freely, without extra costs or unjustified denial.

"We must continue to hold Big Tech accountable and promote competition that allows all players to enter the field. For too long, consumers and developers have borne the brunt of anti-competitive practices on major app store marketplaces," said Rep. Cammack in her press release, adding, "Dominant app stores have controlled customer data and forced consumers to use the marketplaces' own merchant services, instead of the native, in-app offerings provided by the applications and developers themselves. The results are higher prices and limited selections for consumers and anti-competitive practices for developers that have stifled innovation."

Moreover, the Florida Congresswoman suggested that the point of her bill is to "promote a competitive marketplace for consumers and developers, ensuring U.S. mobile users can choose the applications, payment methods and platforms that are best for them without unduly forcing developers to comply or the pay the price—both literally and figuratively—for straying from the dominant marketplaces' preferences."

Cammack's bill follows Representative Gus Bilirakis's (R-FL) App Store Accountability Act, which requires companies such as Amazon, Google, Apple, and other app distributors to prevent adult-oriented apps from reaching minors by requiring age verification for access to app store identification and parental consent for users under 18 on app stores. This is enforced by linking minors' devices to those of their parents.