{"id":456464,"date":"2022-06-01T18:37:39","date_gmt":"2022-06-01T15:37:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/the-apple-and-google-app-store-monopoly-could-soon-be-over-heres-why\/"},"modified":"2022-06-01T18:37:39","modified_gmt":"2022-06-01T15:37:39","slug":"the-apple-and-google-app-store-monopoly-could-soon-be-over-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-apple-and-google-app-store-monopoly-could-soon-be-over-heres-why\/","title":{"rendered":"#The Apple and Google app store monopoly could soon be over \u2014 here\u2019s why"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a39e3ddc08f1\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a39e3ddc08f1\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-apple-and-google-app-store-monopoly-could-soon-be-over-heres-why\/#%E2%80%9CThe_Apple_and_Google_app_store_monopoly_could_soon_be_over_%E2%80%94_heres_why%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;The Apple and Google app store monopoly could soon be over \u2014 here\u2019s why&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-apple-and-google-app-store-monopoly-could-soon-be-over-heres-why\/#You_have_been_Sherlocked\" >You have been Sherlocked<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-apple-and-google-app-store-monopoly-could-soon-be-over-heres-why\/#Alternative_app_stores\" >Alternative app stores<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-apple-and-google-app-store-monopoly-could-soon-be-over-heres-why\/#Users_privacy\" >Users\u2019 privacy<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CThe_Apple_and_Google_app_store_monopoly_could_soon_be_over_%E2%80%94_heres_why%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;The Apple and Google app store monopoly could soon be over \u2014 here\u2019s why&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n                            New rules on mobile <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a> stores could trigger a wave of creative, cheaper apps with more privacy options for users. Every budding developer dreams of creating an app that goes viral and makes lots of money overnight. The Angry Birds <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a> became a worldwide phenomenon within weeks when it launched in 2009 and made <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/rovio-results-idUSL5E8G75JW20120507\">US$10 million<\/a> (\u00a38 million) in its first year.<\/p>\n<p>But, overall, the numbers make it clear that mobile apps don\u2019t guarantee wealth. A 2021 study showed just 0.5% of consumer apps <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fyresite.com\/how-many-apps-fail\/#:%7E:text=People%20say%20that%209%2C999%20out,over%208.9%20million%20apps%20total\">succeed commercially.<\/a> \u00a0Developers have to jostle for attention among the almost 3 million apps and games on Google Play and 4.5 millionapps and games on the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessofapps.com\/data\/app-stores\/\">Apple<\/a> Store.<\/p>\n<p>On Apple\u2019s iPhon<span style=\"color: #dddddd;\"><span style=\"background-color: rgba(164, 163, 163, 0.867);\">e <\/span><\/span>and iPad platforms, the App Store is the only way to distribute apps. Until recently, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2020\/11\/18\/21572302\/apple-app-store-small-business-program-commission-cut-15-percent-reduction\">Apple<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2021\/3\/16\/22333777\/google-play-store-fee-reduction-developers-1-million-dollars\">Google\u2019s<\/a> stores charged a 30% commission fee. But both halved it for most independent app developers and small businesses after lawsuits such as in 2020 when video games company Epic Games claimed Apple has an illegal monopoly of the market.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cand.uscourts.gov\/cases-e-filing\/cases-of-interest\/epic-games-inc-v-apple-inc\/\">Epic Games lost<\/a> but Apple was subject to App Stores changes that are on hold. Both Epic Games and Apple are appealing. Epic Games has filed a similar case against Google, which is set to go to trial in 2023. App stores set the rules on privacy, security and even what types of apps can be made.<\/p>\n<p>Third-party stores could set different rules which might be more relaxed and allow developers to keep more of the money from apps they sell.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_have_been_Sherlocked\"><\/span>You have been Sherlocked<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Independent developers say they are sometimes being <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/babbage\/2012\/07\/13\/youve-been-sherlocked\">\u201cSherlocked\u201d<\/a> by Google and Apple. They develop an app, and not long afterward the platforms embed the app\u2019s features in the operating system itself, killing the developer\u2019s product.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2022\/01\/31\/an-app-developers-lawsuit-over-rejections-and-scammers-is-allowed-to-proceed-judge-rules\/\">FlickType<\/a> was developed as a third-party keyboard for iPhones and Apple Watches in 2019. Shortly afterward Apple apparently told the developer that keyboards for the Apple Watch were <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/keleftheriou\/status\/1437845736951992321?s=20\">not allowed<\/a>, they announced the feature <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.inputmag.com\/tech\/apple-blocked-the-flicktype-watch-keyboard-then-announced-a-clone-of-it\">themselves<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It can take between three and nine months to develop one app and can cost between <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/spdload.com\/blog\/app-development-cost\/#:%7E:text=Many%20factors%20influence%20the%20price,App%20Development%20Cost%20%E2%80%93%20from%20%24300%2C000\">US$40,000 and US$300,000<\/a> to build a minimum viable product. Some apps take much longer than this to develop.<\/p>\n<p>In 2021 a group of UK-based developers filed a \u00a31.5 billion <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/appleinsider.com\/articles\/21\/05\/11\/uk-class-action-over-app-store-commission-could-cost-apple-2b\">collective action suit<\/a> against Apple over its store fees. The case will be heard in the UK.<\/p>\n<p>The European Commission <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/ip_21_2061\">told Apple<\/a> it had abused its position and distorted competition in the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestreet.com\/investing\/spotify-accuses-apple-of-unfair-competition-14895126\">music streaming industry<\/a> and its restrictions on app developers prevent them from telling users about cheaper alternative apps.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, when Apple builds a music app, rivals such as Spotify argue this is unfair. They have to pay 15% or 30% of their revenues to Apple, their rival, which operates the store platform. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/tech-policy\/2021\/08\/apple-will-finally-let-devs-tell-users-about-non-app-store-purchase-options\/\">Until recently<\/a>, Apple prevented Spotify from telling users about cheaper options (like by subscribing via the service\u2019s website).<\/p>\n<p>A <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/mobile-ecosystems-market-study-interim-report\/interim-report\">report<\/a> from the UK\u2019s Competition and Markets Authority highlighted concerns that the tech giants are creating barriers to innovation and competition. Their full <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/cma-cases\/mobile-ecosystems-market-study\">market study<\/a> is due to report back in June 2022. The UK government has pledged to introduce new laws \u201cwhen <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/collections\/digital-markets-unit\">parliamentary time allows<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Alternative_app_stores\"><\/span>Alternative app stores<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The EU\u2019s Digital Markets Act <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2022\/5\/8\/23062666\/eu-start-enforcing-the-dma-digital-markets-act-spring-2023-big-tech-regulation\">could be in force by Spring 2023<\/a>. The legislation is designed to open up mobile platforms by allowing users to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2022\/3\/25\/22996248\/apple-sideloading-apps-store-third-party-eu-dma-requirement\">install apps from alternative stores<\/a>, and ensure app store providers don\u2019t favor their own products or services over third-party developers\u2019 offerings.<\/p>\n<p>In February 2022 a US senate panel approved a bill that aims to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/technology\/us-senate-panel-votes-approve-app-store-bill-aimed-apple-google-2022-02-03\/\">rein in<\/a> app stores.<\/p>\n<p>It is possible to install apps from other niche stores on Android hardware \u2013 such as the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/f-droid.org\/\">F-Droid store<\/a> for open source apps. But the Play Store is available on almost every Android phone by default, meaning the apps available on it can reach a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techdirt.com\/2021\/07\/08\/google-facing-yet-another-antitrust-lawsuit-over-app-store-practices-even-though-android-is-quite-permissive\/\">much larger number of users<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Both <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2021\/8\/16\/22627515\/flicktype-ios-keyboard-discontinued-blind-visually-impaired\">Apple<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.androidpolice.com\/googles-automated-play-store-policy-enforcement-fairemail\/\">Google\u2019s<\/a> app review processes (which look at developers\u2019 apps before making them available) have been heavily criticised for their lack of transparency, consistency, and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">general<\/a> inequality. Independent developers have no real leverage against international billion-dollar companies.<\/p>\n<p>Google has been <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/useboomerang.com\/2020\/07\/24\/google-evil-unjustified-removal-google-play\/\">criticized<\/a> for failing to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2020\/08\/04\/parental-control-app-boomerang-repeatedly-blocked-from-play-store-losing-business\/\">provide meaningful clarification<\/a> when it removes apps from its store.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Users_privacy\"><\/span>Users\u2019 privacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Apple expressed <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/technology\/apple-presses-us-lawmakers-dangers-sideloading-apps-allowed-by-bill-2022-03-04\/\">security and privacy concerns<\/a> about allowing apps from other stores on its devices.<\/p>\n<p>App Store review processes can try to ensure that apps follow their privacy policies. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nobody-reads-privacy-policies-heres-how-to-fix-that-81932\">Most users don\u2019t read these<\/a>, however, and apps can already <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/hcc.cs.ox.ac.uk\/paper\/2021\/12\/01\/pets-paper.html\">access and share a lot more data<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/grindr-user-data-has-been-for-sale-for-years-11651492800\">than users realize<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Third-party app stores are likely to create a trade-off between user freedom and user safety. Some users may prefer Apple and Google\u2019s approach to privacy. Others may prefer a more open experience, where they can install apps from smaller independent developers, who can develop their apps without having to jump through the large app stores\u2019 <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/developer.apple.com\/app-store\/review\/guidelines\/\">hoops<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The fact is that it\u2019s possible to give users this choice \u2013 <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/embed.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21043913-2008-may-steve-jobs-scott-forstall-sideloading-was-a-thing\/#document\/p1\">evidence from lawsuits<\/a> shows that Apple originally planned to support running apps from outside its app store. The Digital Markets Act might force Apple to reconsider.<\/p>\n<p>The DMA won\u2019t deliver results for users and developers unless it is properly implemented. The European Commission itself looks set to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.promarket.org\/2022\/05\/11\/europe-digital-markets-act-effective-enforcement\/\">become a dedicated regulator<\/a> for the first time. This will take time though, and the commission will need to grow a team large enough to provide meaningful oversight and enforcement.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/183279\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\"\/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/183279\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"\" srcset=\"\"\/><\/noscript><br \/>\n<em>Article by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/greig-paul-602705\">Greig Paul<\/a>, Lead Mobile Networks and Security Engineer, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/university-of-strathclyde-1287\">University of Strathclyde <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>This article is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/why-the-apple-and-google-app-store-monopoly-could-soon-be-over-183279\">original article<\/a>.<\/em>\n                        <\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/apple-google-app-store-monopoly-soon-be-over\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The Apple and Google app store monopoly could soon be over \u2014 here\u2019s why&#8221; New rules on mobile app stores could trigger a wave of creative, cheaper apps with more privacy options for users. Every budding developer dreams of creating an app that goes viral and makes lots of money overnight. The Angry Birds game&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":456465,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/06\/gapp.jpg&signature=fe81c2cd94b935401790e8e46b13ce70","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-456464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/456464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=456464"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/456464\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/456465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=456464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=456464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=456464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}