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 (via The edge).
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According to Senator Kyle Davison, who yesterday introduced Senate Bill 2333, the legislation is designed to level the playing field for app developers in North Dakota and protect customers from ‘devastating, monopolistic fees incurred by large tech- businesses’, which refers to the cuts Apple and Google are taking from developers.
Specifically, the bill would prevent Apple from requiring a developer of a digital application distribution platform as the exclusive way to distribute a digital product, and would prevent developers from using in-app purchases as the exclusive way to accept payment. of a user. There is also wording that prevents Apple from retaliating against developers who choose alternative distribution and payment methods.
Apple’s privacy engineer Erik Neuenschwander has spoken out against the bill, saying it ‘threatens to destroy the iPhone as you know it’ by demanding changes that would 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 the North Dakota bill will “require us to let it go.”
Apple does not allow apps to be installed on iOS devices outside the App Store and there are no alternative app store options available. Apple rates every app available for download by customers, something that would not happen with a third-party app store option.
Apple also does not allow app developers to make payments through 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, which resulted in the app being banned in the App Store.
Basecamp co-founder David Heinemeier Hansson, who was also embroiled in a legal battle with Apple last year over the email app ‘HEY’, testified in favor of SB 2333, saying it gave him hope that ‘technological monopolies are not going to rule. the world forever. ‘
North Dakota’s SB 2333 is the first real, concrete bill I’ve seen, which actually gives me hope that technological monopolies are not going to rule the world forever. Fargo or Bismarck sounds like great places to set up shop under a shield against abuse 😂😍 – DHH (@dhh) February 9, 2021
Apple faced a U.S. antitrust inquiry into its App Store fees and policies in 2020, which led to a 450-page report targeting new antitrust laws to promote fair competition in digital markets. strengthening laws related to mergers and monopolies, and restoring strong oversight. and enforcement of antitrust legislation.
No federal legislation has yet been enacted and the North Dakota Senate Committee has not acted on the bill. Senator Jerry Klein said there was “a little more to be said” with reference to the bill.