The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the US Department of Commerce has published a detailed list of a number of changes that Apple should include in its App Store policy with the aim of “promoting innovation and competition”, as well as “leveling the economic playing field” of applications.
The recommendations were published in a report prepared by the Joe Biden administration. In particular, this concerns the fact that both Apple and Google have rules that significantly limit the ability of developers to offer innovative applications to consumers. One of them, especially applicable to Apple, is a ban on downloading the application outside the App Store. In addition, both Google and the Cupertino firm have the ability to choose how apps should work. They demand, on the other hand, review processes, which the NTIA describes as “slow and opaque”.
To get around this, NTIA considers that users first they should be able to choose their own default apps. Apple should also allow consumers remove or at least hide pre-installed apps. They also argue that the company will have to allow the use of alternative app stores to the app store.
The report also details that Apple will have to remove those requirements that prohibit developers from using alternative payment methods inside applications. They also insist that in order to create a more competitive environment, third-party web browsers must be able to offer more complete features, including its own navigation engine.
A number of changes that Apple will soon have to implement in Europe
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration emphasizes that, yes, these changes will likely require “new legislation and additional antitrust enforcement action” to apply. This is exactly what is already happening in other regions.
In Europe, for example, next May Digital Markets Law. This is intended to increase competition in digital ecosystems such as the App Store and will force Apple to allow alternative app stores for the App Store.
The Cupertino-based company, yes, will continue to review iOS compatible apps even if they are published on other platforms to avoid security issues. In any case, this will allow developers you can skip this 30% App Store fee and therefore offer an alternative payment method.
Source: Hiper Textual
I’m Ben Stock, a highly experienced and passionate journalist with a career in the news industry spanning more than 10 years. I specialize in writing content for websites, including researching and interviewing sources to produce engaging articles. My current role is as an author at Gadget Onus, where I mainly cover the mobile section.
