Is the App Store Monopoly Finally Crumbling? New Bill Challenges Apple and Google’s Control

Could your iPhone soon let you ditch the App Store entirely? A new bill in Congress is taking direct aim at Apple and Google’s iron grip on app distribution. The App Store Freedom Act, introduced by Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL), threatens to dismantle the tech giants’ lucrative gatekeeper roles. Let’s dive in.

🏰 The Walled Garden Problem: Why This Bill Matters

• 100 Million Users = Target: The bill applies to app stores with over 100M U.S. users—directly hitting Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
• 30% Fees Under Fire: Developers currently pay up to 30% commission on in-app purchases—a model Epic Games famously challenged in court.
• Hidden Apps, Hidden Costs: Pre-installed apps (like Apple Weather) can’t be removed today, forcing users to keep unwanted software.
• EU Precedent: Europe’s Digital Markets Act already forced Apple to allow third-party app stores—proving this isn’t just theoretical.

✅ The Fix: What the App Store Freedom Act Demands

• ✅ Third-Party Stores Allowed: Users could install alternatives like the (hypothetical) “Gamer App Store” for Fortnite-style sideloading.
• ✅ Payment Freedom: Developers could bypass Apple/Google’s systems, potentially lowering prices (e.g., Spotify subscriptions).
• ✅ Tool Equality: Apple must give rival developers the same APIs and features it gives its own apps—no more Siri shortcuts exclusivity.
• 💵 Penalty Teeth: Violators face FTC fines + $1M per violation—a nightmare for Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem.

🚧 Roadblocks Ahead: Why This Won’t Be Easy

• 🚧 Legal Warfare: Apple will likely fight this harder than Epic’s lawsuit—expect years of appeals about “security risks.”
• ⚠️ Fragmentation Fear: Android allows sideloading, but malware rates are 15x higher than iOS (according to Apple’s 2023 security report).
• ⚠️ Developer Dilemma: Small studios may stick with Apple’s store for visibility—would you trust “Bob’s Indie App Emporium”?
• ⚠️ Google’s Loophole: Unlike Apple, Android already permits third-party stores. This bill hits Apple hardest.

🚀 Final Thoughts: A Tectonic Shift—If It Survives

The EU’s rules forced Apple to cough up iOS changes—but the U.S. bill faces brutal lobbying. Success depends on:

• 📈 Bipartisan Support: Cammack’s Republican backing is unusual for tech regulation—can Democrats join?
• 🔐 Security vs Freedom: Can third-party stores balance openness with iOS’s malware-free reputation?
• 💸 Price Drop Proof: If Spotify passes payment savings to users, public pressure will soar.

As an iPhone user, would you risk sideloading apps for cheaper subscriptions? Or is the App Store’s curation worth the premium?

Let us know on X (Former Twitter)

Sources: Emma Roth. A new bill would force Apple to allow third-party app stores, May 7, 2025. https://www.theverge.com/news/662180/app-store-freedom-act-apple-third-party-app-stores