Part of the reason why Apple is so successful is because they have created products and an ecosystem that lock users in. This guarantees that a customer isn’t just buying a product one time but is making repeated purchases, whether it be complementing devices, upgrades, or services. So it is understandable that Apple isn’t too thrilled about a US antitrust bill that is aimed at its App Store.
Apple unhappy about US antitrust bill that targets the App Store
Senators Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar reintroduced the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA) on June 10. This antitrust bill is a reworked version of 2022 legislation that previously never reached a floor vote.
However, this time around, if it passes, dominant tech platforms can no longer favor their own products over rivals. It also stops platforms from restricting competitors’ access to key features. Google, Amazon, and Meta fall under the bill’s scope too.
Apple has since fired back at the US antitrust bill. In a statement made to MacRumors, Apple said, “We strongly disagree with the Senate’s consideration of European-style regulation that would hamper innovation and force changes consumers never asked for, while undermining the privacy, security and child safety protections they rely on every day.”
The company is also claiming that this bill could make it more difficult to do business. “Importing Europe’s failed policies will not increase competition — it will make it more difficult to do business right here at home.” This seems to be aimed at the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The act also bans large platforms from favoring their own products or services.
Not the first time
This isn’t Apple’s first run-in with antitrust issues. The DOJ filed a major lawsuit against Apple in 2024 over its App Store dominance. That case is still ongoing. In fact, the most recent update was where Apple accused the DOJ of not handing over documents during the discovery process.
Apple was also forced to cut its App Store commission in China under regulatory pressure last March. However, it fought far harder against similar demands elsewhere. Back in 2022, Apple spent millions lobbying to kill the earlier version of this Apple US antitrust bill.
That being said, Apple isn’t in this fight alone. We’re sure those other companies will have something to say about it as well.
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