The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the United States Department of Commerce has published a list detailing a series 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.
Recommendations have been shared in a report driven by the Joe Biden administration. This details, in particular, that both Apple and Google have rules that considerably limit the possibility of developers offering innovative applications to consumers. One of them, and which applies especially to Apple, is the prohibition that an application can be downloaded outside the App Store. In addition, both Google and the Cupertino firm have the ability to choose how the applications should work. They require, on the other hand, review processes that the NTIA describes as “slow and opaque”.
To get around this, NTIA believes that first, users they should have the option to choose their own default apps. Apple should also allow consumers uninstall or, at least, hide, those apps that come pre-installed. They also claim that the company would have to allow the use of alternative app stores to the App Store.
The report also details that Apple would have to remove those requirements that prohibit developers from using alternative payment methods within apps. They also insist that in order to offer a more competitive environment, third-party web browsers should be able to offer more complete functions, including its own navigation engine.
A series of changes that Apple will soon have to make a reality in Europe
The National Administration of Telecommunications and Information stresses, yes, that in order to apply these changes it is likely that “new legislation and additional actions to apply antitrust competition” will be necessary. It is precisely something that is already taking place in other regions.
In Europe, for example, next May the Digital Markets Law. This is intended to boost competition in digital ecosystems, such as the App Store, and will force Apple to allow alternative app stores to the App Store.
The Cupertino company, yes, would continue to review the apps compatible with iOS even if they are published on other platforms, in order to avoid security problems. In any case, this will allow developers can skip that 30% commission from the App Store and therefore offer an alternative payment method.