In the United States and Europe, theCoalition for App Fairness(CAF) brings together several iOS and Android app publishers concerned about the good performance of their services on both platforms. Among them, we find in particular:
- Basecamp (SAAS)
- Blockchain.com (wallet crypto)
- Deezer (streaming)
- Epic Games(studio behind the Fortnite video game)
- Digital France(lobby)
- Match Group (dating)
- Prepear
- ProtonMail (secure messaging)
- Spotify (streaming)
- Tile (connected key rings)
During a press conference held this Monday, members of the organization took the opportunity to reiterate their objectives. Namely: improve the condition of developers who publish their apps on iPhone and on the Google Play Store. Which consists -among other things- of proposing changes concerning theacceptance processapplications or transactions bypassing commissions, both imposed by the OS.
Competition at the heart of the debate
One of the most telling examples is probably the thirty percent tax that Apple levies on all in-app purchases. Indeed, it is strongly criticized and even judgedanticompétitiveby a number of publishers who consider themselves wronged when Cupertino takes such a sum from them. When in fact they just need to pass it on to the base price of their subscriptions.
Another scenario:banspure and simple apps from the App Store, which happen more often than you might think. Because it only takes a small error to be refused an update, if it contravenes the official rules of the virtual store.
It’s up to justice to decide
As is often the case in this type of case, it will in any case probably be the court orlegislatorswho will be responsible for resolving the conflict. It must be said that there will be no shortage of opportunities: across the Atlantic, the Californian court has already launched serious investigations. The European Commission has also started its own investigation.
It is currently difficult to predict the outcome of these events. But the intensive spending of the accused (Alphabet is therefore also in the viewfinder) on lobbying should largely weigh in the balance. Especially at a time when national policiesdependmainly GAFAM systems to operate essential infrastructure.
Spotify
Pair : Spotify Ltd.
