• Representative Kat Cammack introduced the App Store Freedom Act, targeting Apple and Google's control over their respective app stores.
• The bill seeks to allow users to install third-party app stores and use alternative payment systems, addressing concerns about limited choices and higher prices.
• Violations could lead to significant penalties from the FTC, potentially reaching $1 million per violation.

Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) has introduced the App Store Freedom Act in the US House of Representatives. This bill targets 'large app store operators' like Apple and Google, aiming to promote competition and protect consumers within the mobile app marketplace. The proposed legislation seeks to break the hold that Apple and Google have on their respective app ecosystems by mandating that they allow third-party app stores to be installed on devices, in addition to use of third-party payment systems. It echoes similar regulations implemented in the European Union under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

• What: The App Store Freedom Act aims to promote competition in the app marketplace by forcing Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores and payment systems.
• Who: Key players include Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL), Apple, Google, app developers, consumers, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is also involved, opposing the bill.
• When: The bill was introduced on May 6, 2025. The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) has been in effect, influencing similar changes.
• Where: The bill is proposed in the United States. The effects of the EU's DMA are primarily in Europe.

The App Store Freedom Act represents a significant challenge to Apple and Google's dominance in the mobile app market. By mandating the allowance of third-party app stores and payment systems, the bill aims to foster competition and provide more choices for consumers and developers. The bill's success hinges on its ability to balance competition with security and privacy concerns, as highlighted by the CCIA. The influence of the EU's DMA is evident, indicating a global trend toward regulating large tech companies to promote fairer competition. The outcome of this legislation could reshape the future of the app economy.

Dominant app stores have controlled customer data and forced consumers to use the marketplaces’ own merchant services, instead of the native, in-app offerings provided by the applications and developers themselves. The results are higher prices and limited selections for consumers and anti-competitive practices for developers that have stifled innovation.

The App Store Freedom Act would hinder mobile ecosystems’ efforts to protect users from dangerous apps and other security risks. Businesses require flexibility to respond to dynamic threats and micromanaging software distribution would undermine that goal.

The App Store Freedom Act signifies a pivotal moment in the regulation of the US app marketplace, potentially reshaping the power dynamics between tech giants and smaller developers. While proponents champion the bill's capacity to stimulate competition, reduce consumer costs, and provide developers with greater flexibility regarding payment systems and access to platform features, substantial concerns persist. These anxieties primarily revolve around the increased cybersecurity risks stemming from sideloading and the distribution of unvetted apps. Moreover, the Act's implications for user privacy, particularly concerning age verification, and the potential disruption to established business models remain key points of contention. As the bill advances, lawmakers must carefully weigh the benefits of increased competition against the need to safeguard user security and privacy. The outcome will not only determine the future of the app economy but also influence the broader landscape of digital competition and innovation in the United States, potentially prompting significant changes to app store policies globally.