[412-code-talk] Apple and Google - and now Senators

[Mark Rauterkus]

As Apple fights for control of its app store in its legal battle with Epic
Games, the company now faces pressure from U.S. lawmakers.

Bipartisan legislation
<https://fos.cmail19.com/t/t-l-cjdtrik-gzhhdlty-w/> proposed
in the Senate would *force Apple and Google to allow other app stores on
their platforms*. While Google allows Android users to download other app
stores, Apple does not.

*Apple and Google hold a true duopoly *in the U.S. app store market.

   - In 2020, *59%* of U.S.-based app downloads were
   <https://fos.cmail19.com/t/t-l-cjdtrik-gzhhdlty-yd/> in Apple’s App
   Store, and *41%* originated in the Google Play store.
   - Apple’s Services segment, which includes its app store, brought in *$17.5
   billion* in the second quarter.
   - Google’s Services segment earned *$5.1 billion* in Q2, excluding ads.
   In addition to the Google Play store, Services includes Android, Chrome,
   and hardware.
   - Both companies charge a 30% fee for app store and in-app purchases,
   with lower fees for smaller developers.

In late August, South Korea passed a law barring app stores from
prohibiting alternate payment systems — one of the core issues in *Apple’s
dispute with “Fortnite” maker Epic Games*.

“Both Apple and Google have appeared to use their powerful gatekeeper
control to stifle competition in the app store market,” Sen. Richard
Blumenthal wrote, while introducing the legislation with Sens. Amy
Klobuchar and Marsha Blackburn.

Other senators plan on signing on to the bill as cosponsors, per Bloomberg.
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