The Open App Markets Act will promote App Store competition and strengthen consumer protections within the app market

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust and Consumer Rights, issued the statement below on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s passage of the bipartisan Open App Markets Act, which Klobuchar introduced alongside Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in August.

“Competition is critical to protecting small businesses and consumers, spurring innovation, and promoting economic equity. But as mobile technologies have become essential to our daily lives, a few gatekeepers have taken control of the app marketplace, wielding incredible power over which apps consumers can access. This raises serious competition concerns,” said Klobuchar.

“By establishing new rules for app stores, this legislation will help level the playing field and ensure an innovative and competitive app marketplace. Now that it has passed the Judiciary Committee with strong bipartisan support, we are one step closer to it passing the Senate and being signed into law.”

The Open App Markets Act will protect developers’ rights to tell consumers about lower prices and offer competitive pricing; open up competitive avenues for startup apps, third party app stores, and payment services; make it possible for developers to offer new experiences that take advantage of consumer device features; give consumers more control over their devices; and prevent app stores from disadvantaging developers who compete with them, all while enabling companies to continue to protect privacy, security, and safety of consumers.

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