Sponsors (6)
Introduced June 24, 2025 by Marsha Blackburn · Last progress June 24, 2025
The bill aims to open app platforms and strengthen remedies for independent developers and user choice, but does so while raising security risks, litigation and compliance costs, and leaving room for IP/exemption carve‑outs that could blunt competition gains.
Small app developers and independent stores gain meaningful new distribution and monetization options (alternative in‑app payments, sideloading, and access to OS interfaces/documentation) that can lower fees and improve their ability to compete with platform-owned apps.
Ordinary users (consumers) get greater device choice and control — ability to install third‑party apps/stores, set defaults, remove preinstalled apps, plus clearer opt‑in/risk disclosures and app‑authenticity protections.
Developers harmed by platform practices gain stronger legal remedies — injunctive relief (including preliminary relief), treble damages, and fee recovery — increasing chances of meaningful compensation and faster relief from ongoing harms.
All users (consumers) face higher malware/security risk if sideloading and third‑party app stores become widespread without sufficiently strong safety controls.
Businesses (especially platforms) and ultimately consumers face much higher litigation risk and legal costs (treble damages, fee shifting, multiple enforcement authorities), which may encourage defensive litigation, nuisance suits, and cost‑shifting into higher prices.
Large platform owners that meet the threshold will incur significant new compliance and operational costs to meet narrow‑tailoring/consistency standards and CEO certification requirements, costs that could be passed on to consumers or reduce investment in services.
Based on analysis of 9 sections of legislative text.
Stops dominant OS‑controlling app stores from forcing payment systems or self‑preferencing, requires support for third‑party app stores/sideloading, and limits use of nonpublic developer data.
Prohibits dominant app‑store operators that control an operating system from forcing developers to use their payment systems, from self‑preferencing, and from using nonpublic third‑party app data to compete with third‑party apps. Requires covered platforms to allow users to install and set as default third‑party apps and app stores, to provide access to interfaces and documentation on fair terms, and to avoid discriminatory or exclusionary conduct. Creates limited defenses for actions needed for privacy, security, fraud prevention, IP protection, or legal compliance but conditions those defenses on narrow tailoring, consistent application, and executive certification; gives enforcement powers to the FTC, the Attorney General, and State attorneys general, and permits developer private lawsuits for damages and injunctive relief; requires agency reviews and makes the Act effective 180 days after enactment.