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HR5313119th CongressWALLET

App Store Freedom Act

Sponsored By: Representative Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]

Introduced

Summary

Ban app-store gatekeeping by dominant platform owners. This bill would create federal rules to force interoperability, require open app development, and stop large platforms from blocking or punishing developers who distribute apps outside a company-owned app store.

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  • Developers: Would let developers distribute apps outside a covered company’s app store, protect their direct communications with users, and limit use of nonpublic business information to compete with those developers.
  • Consumers and users: Would promote interoperability and broader app choice by requiring open development and by curbing exclusivity and tying that lock apps into a single store or payment system.
  • Covered companies and enforcement: Would apply to companies that control both an app store and an operating system with at least 100,000,000 U.S. users, impose compliance duties and standards, allow enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general, and authorize penalties up to $1,000,000 per violation. The bill also preserves intellectual property and antitrust law and limits certain conflicting state actions while leaving other state remedies intact.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New freedoms and access for app developers

If enacted, big platforms could not force you to use their in‑app payment system or match prices. They could not punish you for selling outside their store or for using different payment terms or remote access. They could not charge fees or block your messages to users about real offers, subject to equal consent rules. Platforms would need to give timely, free, equivalent access and documentation for system features they and their partners use, or license needed rights. They also could not use your app’s nonpublic data to build a competing app.

More control over default and preinstalled apps

If enacted, users on covered platforms would be able to pick a third-party app or app store as the default. You could install apps through other ways, not just the platform’s store. You could hide or delete preinstalled apps or app stores from the platform or its partners. These rights would apply to large platforms that own both the operating system and the app store.

Enforcement, penalties, and when rules start

If enacted, the FTC would issue guidance within 180 days, and the rules would start when that guidance is issued. Violations would be treated like unfair or deceptive acts, with fines up to $1,000,000 per violation. State attorneys general could sue after notifying the FTC, and the FTC could intervene. A state could not bring a case against the same defendant while a federal case on the same violations is pending.

Covered platforms and guardrails on these rules

If enacted, a covered platform would be one that owns or controls both an app store and the operating system and has over 100,000,000 U.S. users. Federal rules would override state laws that conflict, but state contract, tort, unfair competition, and many data‑fraud and breach laws would still apply. Platforms would not have to share data or work with sanctioned or other risky foreign entities or foreign‑adversary apps. Platforms also would not have to warranty or support problems from apps installed outside their store, or license their private intellectual property.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]

SC • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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