Epic Games, Spotify, Match Group (Tinder),Deezer, Title Match, Basecamp, Blix, News Media Europe, and many other developers have announced that they have created the “Coalition for App Fairness” (Coalition for equality of apps in French ), a non-profit organization aimed at combating the abusive and anti-competitive practices of Apple and Google. A very strong coalition
Since the ban of its game Fortnite from the App Store, Epic Game has been at war with the giant apple. Its goal: to relax the rules, deemed unfair and anti-competitive, established on Apple's application store. Indeed, the American giant takes a 30% commission on each application purchase, including on in-app transactions. Epic was therefore quick to be joined by other developers, who formed the “Coalition for App Fairness”.
Critics are harsh: "Apple asks manufacturers to limit options, forces developers to sell through the App Store, and even steals ideas from the competition." Indeed, the 30% policy greatly affects developer revenues, but that's not all. It is very difficult to offer competing applications to those of Apple.
An attempt to bend Apple
“ For years, app developers have raised concerns publicly and privately about onerous and arbitrary terms governing Apple's App Store in particular, as well as last-minute iOS updates,” which also disadvantage developers. Yet not much has changed, ”the coalition said in the statement.
“A company has almost total control over the mobile ecosystem and the applications to which consumers are entitled. After nearly a decade without surveillance, regulation, and competition, it is time for Apple to face up to its responsibilities, ”she explains on her site. She recalls that Apple earns $ 15 billion each year thanks to its famous 30% commission.
Google also takes it for its rank
The Coalition for App Fairness targets Apple in particular, but Google is no exception. Indeed, the latter applies the same commission on Android. The only difference is that, although the Play Store is in the majority position in the distribution of Android applications, Google allows other application stores on its operating system.
In the meantime, the coalition has drawn up a list of ten principles that it believes are fundamental to ensuring a healthy environment and allowing fair competition in app stores. Still, the war is not about to end between the two parties.
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