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Blumenthal Statement on Apple Allowing Developers to Accept Payment Outside the App Store

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), lead sponsor of the Open App Markets Act, released the following statement after reports that Apple would let developers accept payment outside the App Store:

“Apple’s concession is a powerful sign that Apple and Google’s stranglehold over app store markets is purely self-serving. These Big Tech giants thought they could get away with squashing competition to pocket hefty windfalls—all while insisting their ironclad grip on app markets serves the interests of consumers or developers. This marks a significant step forward, but does not rectify the full and vivid range of market abuses and practices still widespread across app markets that my and Senator Blackburn’s Open App Markets Act would address. Today’s move only adds to the momentum and further exposes rampant anticompetitive abuses in the app markets. The fox guarding the hen house status quo will remain until there are clear and enforceable rules for Apple and Google to play by. I look forward to advancing the Open App Markets Act when the Senate reconvenes this fall.”

Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Open App Markets Act earlier this month. The legislation would set fair, clear, and enforceable rules to protect competition and strengthen consumer protections within the app market. The full text of the Senate bill can be found here.

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