A new bill proposed in the United States Congress could force Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores on their devices. This means that users of iPhones and Android phones might soon be able to download apps from places other than the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The proposed law is called the Open App Markets Act, and it aims to make the app market more competitive and fair.
Currently, Apple and Google control most of the mobile app market. If someone wants to download an app on their iPhone, they must go through Apple’s App Store. Similarly, Android users mostly use the Google Play Store. Both companies charge high commission fees from app developers — often around 15% to 30% on in-app purchases. Many developers and lawmakers say this is unfair and limits innovation.
The new bill wants to give more freedom to users and developers. If the Open App Markets Act becomes law, Apple and Google will no longer be allowed to block third-party app stores from their devices. Users will be able to choose where to download their apps from. Developers will also be free to offer their apps directly to customers without paying huge fees to Apple or Google.
Senators Richard Blumenthal, Amy Klobuchar, and Marsha Blackburn introduced the bill. They say it will help small businesses and app developers compete with big tech companies. According to Senator Blumenthal, this bill is about breaking the monopoly of Apple and Google. He said, “We’re protecting consumer choice, encouraging innovation, and helping small developers.”
The bill also includes several key rules. One major rule is that companies like Apple and Google cannot force developers to use their payment systems. At the moment, Apple requires all payments to go through their system, which means they can take a large cut. The new law would stop that, allowing developers to choose their own payment gateways. Another rule is that operating systems cannot block sideloading — the process of installing apps from sources outside the official app store.
Apple is not happy with this proposed law. The company argues that allowing third-party app stores will harm user safety. They say that their App Store has strong privacy protections, and letting users download apps from anywhere could expose them to malware and hacking. Apple believes that their control over the App Store helps keep iPhones secure and reliable.
Google has also expressed concerns. While Google already allows sideloading to some extent on Android, they warn that more relaxed rules might lead to security risks and poor app quality. They argue that users trust their Play Store because it checks apps for safety and performance.
On the other hand, many developers and consumer rights groups support the bill. They argue that Apple and Google have become too powerful. Companies like Spotify, Epic Games, and Match Group have openly criticized Apple and Google’s app store rules. Epic Games even sued Apple in 2020 after the tech giant removed its popular game Fortnite from the App Store for using its own payment system.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney welcomed the new bill. He said, “This legislation would help level the playing field. Apple and Google have been gatekeepers for too long.” Similarly, Spotify said that the bill would benefit both developers and consumers by lowering costs and improving access to apps.
The bill has also gained support from public interest groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and Consumer Reports. They believe that users should have full control over their devices. According to them, when you buy a phone, it should be your device, not something controlled by a company.
Some experts say that this bill, if passed, could bring big changes to the tech industry. It would increase competition in the app market and reduce the control of big tech firms. It might also lead to lower prices, more innovation, and better user experience.
However, passing this bill is not going to be easy. Big companies like Apple and Google have strong lobbying power and will fight hard to protect their business models. They have already started campaigns to explain why the current system works well and how user safety could be at risk.
Despite the pushback, lawmakers say they are serious about passing this bill. Senator Amy Klobuchar said, “This bill is a bipartisan effort. It shows that people on both sides agree — we need to take action against monopoly power in the app market.”
If the Open App Markets Act becomes law, it will only apply to companies that have over 50 million U.S. users and operate their own app store. This means smaller app stores will not be affected. The law is mainly targeting big companies like Apple and Google that have a dominant position in the market.
The bill is still in the early stages and will need to go through several steps before it becomes a law. It must be approved by the Senate, the House of Representatives, and finally signed by the President. Lawmakers hope to push the bill forward in the coming months.
If it passes, the impact could be global. Many countries, including Europe, are also considering similar laws. The European Union has already passed the Digital Markets Act, which has similar goals. That law forces big tech companies to allow third-party app stores and prevent unfair business practices. Experts say that if the U.S. passes its own version, it could create a global standard for app market competition.
In conclusion, the proposed Open App Markets Act is a major step toward changing the app ecosystem. It challenges the dominance of Apple and Google by promoting user freedom, developer choice, and fair competition. While it still faces opposition and legal hurdles, the bill reflects a growing movement to hold big tech accountable and ensure that the digital market works for everyone — not just the tech giants.As users and developers wait to see what happens next, one thing is clear: the way we download and pay for apps might soon change in a big way. If the law is passed, we may enter a new era of open app markets, better pricing, and more innovation in the mobile world.
