Apple shares new App Store webpage, defending itself against monopolistic claims
Apple has shared a new webpage defending itself amidst a lawsuit alleging the company has a monopoly over iOS apps.
The page, titled “Principles and Practices” comes following claims that Apple, who owns the only store for apps on Apple devices, has unlawfully used its monopolistic power to charge consumers higher-than competitive prices, and prioritize the sale of its own apps compared to other competing titles.
The page opens with the bold title “It’s our store. And we take responsibility for it…” and explains how Apple reviews each and every app on the App Store to ensure it meets Apple’s strict developer quality guidelines, and how it welcomes apps of all categories to use the store.
Apple goes on to show examples of third-party apps that compete with its own, listing apps that compete with Apple-made apps such as Calendar, Camera, iCloud, Mail, Maps, Messages, Apple Music, Notes, Podcasts, Apple TV, FaceTime, and Safari.
Some of the example shown include Evernote which is listed as competing with Notes, and Spotify competing with Apple Music, for example.
Like any fair marketplace, developers decide what they want to charge from a set of price tiers. We only collect a commission from developers when a digital good or service is delivered through an app. – The App Store has also helped millions of people with great ideas easily learn how to code, create, and distribute their ideas in 155 countries. – We’re proud that, to date, developers have earned more than $120 billion worldwide from selling digital goods and services in apps distributed by the App Store.
The new page can be viewed here: apple.com/ios/app-store/principles-practices