App Store Freedom Act: New US Bill Targeting Apple

A new bill, the App Store Freedom Act, has been introduced in the US, sponsored by Representative Kat Cammack. The legislation aims to require app store operators to allow the use of alternative app stores by default for all users.

The bill targets app store operators with audiences exceeding 100 million users — such as Apple and Google. It would require providing equal access to interfaces and tools for developers at no additional cost.

Users would gain the ability to uninstall pre-installed apps. Violations would be penalized by the Federal Trade Commission, with additional fines of up to $1 million per violation.

While Apple is not explicitly named in the text, the bill is clearly aimed at the company, since alternative app stores are already permitted on the Android platform.