App Industry Cheers Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple
Leading app developers and companies like Spotify, Deezer, and Epic Games have applauded the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit against Apple. They view it as a crucial step to break what they call “Apple’s stranglehold” on the mobile app market.
“This lawsuit is a strong stand against Apple’s anti-competitive practices that stifle innovation and ultimately hurt consumers,” said Rick VanMeter, executive director of The Coalition for App Fairness (CAF) in a statement. He urged for further action beyond the lawsuit to address similar issues with all major app store gatekeepers.
The DOJ lawsuit, filed in New Jersey, accuses Apple of violating antitrust laws. Specifically, the suit alleges that Apple hinders apps and products that compete with its own offerings or encourage users to rely less on its iPhone ecosystem, such as its digital wallet.
This lawsuit adds to a growing chorus of legal challenges against Apple globally. Similar actions are underway in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Asia. Spotify has been a vocal critic of Apple’s policies for years, and its founder, Daniel Ek, sees this lawsuit as a validation of his concerns.
“There’s a global consensus that Apple’s dominance stifles innovation and threatens the digital economy,” said Avery Gardiner, a lawyer and competition policy advocate for Spotify. “The DOJ case brings clarity: Apple’s practices harm both developers and consumers.”
Both CAF and Gardiner acknowledge the lawsuit will take time to resolve. They’ve urged Congress to pass the Open App Markets Act, a bill that would prevent dominant app stores like Apple and Google from forcing developers to use their payment systems and restrict developers from offering lower prices elsewhere.
A key argument against Apple is that its app store policies prevent companies like Spotify from informing consumers about potentially cheaper options like family and duo plans. Currently, Spotify can’t promote these subscriptions directly within its app and has to direct users to its website to sign up.
The DOJ lawsuit also seeks changes to Apple’s messaging tools and its digital wallet, aiming to create a more level playing field for developers. “Competition fuels innovation,” Gardiner concludes, “and this lawsuit is a step towards a fairer and more competitive internet.”
