Apple often portrays the App Store as the democratisation of software. Since 2008, developers everywhere have been able to use Apple’s code to create new smartphone applications, and users can find and try them there, knowing that the company has vetted the offerings.
Now both the App Store and its rival Google Play are under attack as cut-throat monopolies that disadvantage competition and extract unfair commissions. Last week, South Korea enacted the world’s first law allowing mobile phone users to bypass the tech groups and pay app developers directly. In a recent settlement with the Japan Fair Trade Commission, Apple was forced to create a payment bypass for certain subscription apps. The EU and India are also probing app sales and Australia may wade in.
Meanwhile, a US judge is considering Fortnite-maker Epic Games’ claims that Apple’s 30 per cent commission on app sales and in-app purchases is an illegal monopoly. Epic’s lawsuit against Google is pending, and US senators are waiting with draft legislation that allows both developers and customers to bypass official app stores.