New Minnesota Bill takes aim at Apple's App Store fees

By Stephen Warwick
published

App Store icon
App Store icon (Image credit: iMore)

What you need to know

  • A new bill has been introduced in Minnesota targeting Apple.
  • It could force Apple to let developers sell iPhone apps through channels other than the App Store.

A new proposal in the State of Minnesota could force Apple to let developers sell iPhone apps through channels other than the App Store.

As reported by StarTribune:

The battle over Big Tech has made its way to Minnesota, where unlikely alliances are forming in the divided Legislature over a bill that's sparked intense opposition from Apple and Google.The proposal — quietly introduced last week — would force the two tech giants to keep the products of Minnesota developers in their app stores even if those developers sell them directly or through other channels.

The law is supposed to level the playing field for developers, whilst depriving Apple and Google of the commission fees they charge developers for using their app stores. Similar legislation has previously been introduced in North Dakota and Arizona, as well as Georgia. Bill sponsor Zack Stephenson said, "A lot of people are concerned about the increased influence and power that Big Tech has, and I think there's a lot of interest in trying to make sure that we have a fair and open digital economy."

According to the report, Stephen and other House Democrats consider the move an extension of antitrust measures and the net neutrality debate. From the report:

Stephenson and other House Democrats see this as an extension of the antitrust and net neutrality debate, while the lead in the GOP-controlled Senate said he wants to send a message to Silicon Valley after Donald Trump's ban and removal from Twitter and other social media platforms."That to me is a huge problem," said Sen. Mark Koran, R-North Branch. "They basically deleted a president. Those who are taking that victory lap, that is going to be a short lived celebration, because that cancel culture is coming for them too."

The report says that big tech companies were lobbying "within hours of the bill being introduced" to try and stop the move.

Apple recently stated that a similar bill in North Dakota would destroy the iPhone as we know it.

Stephen Warwick
Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.

Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9

4 Comments
  • Of all the crap going on in our state right now, this is what we have to focus on? Can't make it up....smh....
  • Ah yes because politicians are so incompetent they can only focus on one thing at a time....
  • States have no rights to do anything like this. States do NOT decide marketing strategies for products. If this passes, it will be struck down by the US Supreme Court. What's next? Minnesota will declare that BMWs will be under $20,000 in Minnesota? McDonalds has a "monopoly" on Big Macs, so Big Macs must be available at Wendys? Dream on. The answer - of course - would be that BMW and McDonalds would cease doing business in the People's Republic of Minnesota.
  • This goes to show how seriously unknowledgeable legislators are on technology. I would not use an App Store other than the App Store from Apple and Google to ensure my device is safe. Also, why should Apple have to support warranty work should a third party app destroy a consumer phone?