Minnesota the latest to introduce bill that allows developers to bypass App Store billing
Following on the heels of failed legislation in North Dakota and a similar bill in Arizona, Minnesota has joined the ranks of states trying to force Apple to allow apps to bypass App Store billing.
Minnesota joins North Dakota and Arizona in proposing bills that would allow developers to bypass App Store fees
The proposal would reportedly make Apple and Google allow Minnesota developers to bypass App Store restrictions and commissions on their devices. Even if developers sell their apps directly or through other channels, the tech giants would be forced to allow them in their digital storefronts.
"A lot of people are concerned about the increased influence and power that Big Tech has, and I think there's a lot of interest in trying to make sure that we have a fair and open digital economy," said Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, the bill's sponsor in the House.
The proposed legislation appears to be part of a broader and coordinated effort across U.S. states. A similar bill failed in North Dakota earlier in February, and the Arizona state House of Representatives is set to vote on another piece of legislation targeting app-store fees.
The Arizona and Minnesota bills stop short of requiring third-party app stores, focusing instead on requiring specific in-app payment systems as the sole way to accept payments. Both proposals also seek to prevent tech companies from retaliating against developers who bypass their payment systems.
An Epic Games campaign to force Apple to allow third-party app stores on the iPhone
An Epic Games lobbyist was reportedly behind the North Dakota bill, providing a draft to state lawmakers. The lobbyist was reportedly also being paid by the Coalition for App Fairness, a group that includes Epic, Spotify, and Basecamp.
Epic Games started its campaign against App Store fees in 2020, a premeditated effort that the company kicked off by inserting a server-side payment method in "Fortnite" that would bypass the App Store. Apple swiftly removed "Fortnite," sparking the ongoing legal battle that is now being played out across state legislatures.
Apple and Google reportedly responded to the Minnesota proposal with swift and aggressive lobbying to stop the bill. The companies have help from the Koch-funded Americans For Prosperity, a group that testified against the North Dakota bill.
An Apple spokesperson said that the earlier and failed North Dakota bill could "destroy iPhone as you know it" and would carry significant consequences to users for privacy, security, safety, and performance.
Minnesota joins North Dakota and Arizona in proposing bills that would allow developers to bypass App Store fees
The proposal would reportedly make Apple and Google allow Minnesota developers to bypass App Store restrictions and commissions on their devices. Even if developers sell their apps directly or through other channels, the tech giants would be forced to allow them in their digital storefronts.
"A lot of people are concerned about the increased influence and power that Big Tech has, and I think there's a lot of interest in trying to make sure that we have a fair and open digital economy," said Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, the bill's sponsor in the House.
The proposed legislation appears to be part of a broader and coordinated effort across U.S. states. A similar bill failed in North Dakota earlier in February, and the Arizona state House of Representatives is set to vote on another piece of legislation targeting app-store fees.
The Arizona and Minnesota bills stop short of requiring third-party app stores, focusing instead on requiring specific in-app payment systems as the sole way to accept payments. Both proposals also seek to prevent tech companies from retaliating against developers who bypass their payment systems.
An Epic Games campaign to force Apple to allow third-party app stores on the iPhone
An Epic Games lobbyist was reportedly behind the North Dakota bill, providing a draft to state lawmakers. The lobbyist was reportedly also being paid by the Coalition for App Fairness, a group that includes Epic, Spotify, and Basecamp.
Epic Games started its campaign against App Store fees in 2020, a premeditated effort that the company kicked off by inserting a server-side payment method in "Fortnite" that would bypass the App Store. Apple swiftly removed "Fortnite," sparking the ongoing legal battle that is now being played out across state legislatures.
Apple and Google reportedly responded to the Minnesota proposal with swift and aggressive lobbying to stop the bill. The companies have help from the Koch-funded Americans For Prosperity, a group that testified against the North Dakota bill.
An Apple spokesperson said that the earlier and failed North Dakota bill could "destroy iPhone as you know it" and would carry significant consequences to users for privacy, security, safety, and performance.
Comments
Law makers should understand business and technology if they are going legislate the tech companies.
support and warranty is applicable only in jailed mode.
in full access mode, any app can be installed, with the corresponding consequences for security and privacy.
give users the tools and the choices…
…but give Apple sovereignty over its own AppStore
If it's forcing the stocking of a dumb shooting game that teenagers play, that's still not particularly scary, it's just a bit pathetic that lawmakers think this is worthwhile.
But there's a principle in politics that should apply here: when your enemy is about to do something really really stupid, let them do it! Encourage them to do it! Therefore, I want to see some minor jurisdiction like Minnesota make it illegal for Apple to make money for one of its services - in this case, the App Store. I desperately want to see what Apple will do if a jurisdiction outlaws profits for a specific service. There are many options, and I want to see Apple take the toughest action possible which is to completely pull out of business in Minnesota, both retail and online services. Without notice. And then when Minnesota reverts their law, don't return and don't say what it would take to return. Then make them wait and don't tell them when services and products will return. Actually, there's an even tougher response than this, but I don't want to scare Minnesota from passing this law.
How about a compromise - You, Mr./Ms Developer can offer your own in-app purchases but...
And does Apple get to vote, or does Apple have a veto, or do you think Apple should be forced to follow whatever the developers choose?
Will this arrangement somehow magically free Apple from all government regulations and restrictions on its app store, including foreign governments?
What is your estimate as to the revenue drop Apple will suffer if this proposal is adopted?
I just think these lazy, self entitled POS entities like Epic are playing Apple for a rube and trying to bully Apple through the employment of lobbyists who know how to tweak these clueless and bought and paid-for politicians to do their bidding for them. Arming lobbyists with bags of cash and support from mobs of whiners and fakers is a whole lot cheaper than investing in R&D and doing the hard work required to create, grow, and foster an ecosystem that has broad appeal and staying power.
These legislators are disgusting and make a mockery of the inventive and entrepreneurial spirit that separates the doers from the hangers-on and slackers.
But as a consequence of this scrutiny there will be significant collateral damage. Practices that are appropriate will be tainted with this brush and suffer for it.
Issues are not being fairly considered and the tropes of BIG BAD TECH, GREEDY APPLE and MONOPOLY are being thrown about easily and lazily.
Apple have based a key part of their business around controlling access to their platforms for privacy and user protection. Some of what's been proposed can destroy the safeguards that users enjoy and rely upon. But a large part of the user community may not realise they are there. And importantly the governments don't properly appreciate them either.