US Legislation Aims to Break Grip on App Stores
upstart writes:
US legislation aims to break grip on app stores:
A bill introduced on Wednesday by US senators seeks to loosen the grip Apple and Google have on their lucrative online shops for apps and other digital content.
The measure, backed by Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Amy Klobuchar and Republican Marsha Blackburn, would have to make its way through Congress to become law. [edited for readability -- Ed.]
The bill would make it illegal for app store operators to require use of their own payment systems for transactions, a tactic that lets Apple and Google collect commissions on sales at their respective shops.
The legislation also calls for app store operators who also control device operating systems, as do Apple and Google, to allow users ways to get apps from places other than their stores.
"As mobile technologies have become essential to our daily lives, it has become clear that a few gatekeepers control the app marketplace, wielding incredible power over which apps consumers can access," Klobuchar said in a release.
Also at Ars Technica, CNBC, Reuters and MarketWatch.
Read more of this story at SoylentNews.