A bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators has reintroduced the Open App Markets Act, a sweeping antitrust bill aimed at curbing the dominance of Apple and Google in the mobile app marketplace. Spearheaded by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the legislation seeks to create a fairer and more competitive environment for app developers and consumers alike.
Originally proposed in 2021, the bill is designed to dismantle what lawmakers describe as the "gatekeeping power" of dominant app store operators. It would require tech giants like Apple and Google to permit third-party payment systems, enable sideloading, and allow alternative app stores on their platforms—moves that would drastically reduce their control over app distribution and revenue collection.
Under the bill, any app store with more than 50,000 monthly U.S. users would be subject to its provisions. This directly impacts the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, both of which have come under intense scrutiny for their restrictive policies, revenue-sharing demands, and prioritization of native apps.
One of the most notable aspects of the legislation is its push for sideloading, which would allow developers to distribute apps directly to users without relying on official app stores. This could give rise to more competitive pricing models and innovative app experiences, as developers would no longer be bound by Apple and Google’s 15–30% commission structures or content restrictions.
Additionally, the act prohibits app store operators from self-preferencing—ensuring that their own apps or services are not given unfair advantages over third-party offerings. By leveling the playing field, the legislation aims to stimulate innovation and open up new opportunities for smaller developers and emerging startups.
The timing of the bill’s reintroduction is critical. Lawmakers across the globe are increasingly scrutinizing Big Tech's market power, and public sentiment continues to shift in favor of more regulation. With ongoing lawsuits, EU Digital Markets Act enforcement, and growing developer frustration, momentum for structural reform in digital markets is building.
Although it remains unclear whether the bill will gain the necessary traction to pass, its return sends a clear message: regulators are intensifying their focus on digital monopolies. If enacted, the Open App Markets Act could reshape how millions of users download and interact with apps, while providing developers with more freedom and fewer financial barriers.
As the debate around app store fairness intensifies, all eyes will be on how Apple, Google, and the broader tech industry respond to the renewed push for regulatory oversight.