Key facts
- Spotify, Epic Games, Basecamp, Blix, Blockchain.com, Deezer, and ProtonMail are among the founding members of the Coalition for App Fairness.
- The coalition argues that Apple's 15-30% fee on app purchases is too high and that its practices are anti-competitive.
- The group advocates for fair treatment and a level playing field for app developers.
- The Coalition for App Fairness is calling on U.S. regulators to accelerate actions against app store fees.
A coalition of technology companies, including Spotify and Epic Games, has formed the Coalition for App Fairness to challenge Apple's App Store policies. The group argues that Apple's commission fees, which range from 15% to 30% on app purchases, are excessively high and anti-competitive. They contend that these practices limit consumer choice and do not provide a level playing field for app developers.
The coalition, which also includes Basecamp, Blix, Blockchain.com, Deezer, and ProtonMail, is urging U.S. regulators to expedite measures to curb these app store fees. The organization's website highlights that Apple generates over $9 billion annually from its app tax, contrasting it with the approximately 5% charged by other payment providers. The group's stated vision is to ensure fair treatment for all app developers and provide consumers with greater control over their devices.
The Coalition for App Fairness, based in Washington D.C., plans to engage in lobbying efforts and calls for regulators and legislators worldwide to address these issues, emphasizing that every app developer deserves fair treatment.