Minnesota bill: Apple, Google have to keep apps in their app stores even if developers also sell them elsewhere

The Minnesota Legislation has introduced a proposal that would force Apple and Google to keep the products of Minnesota developers in their app stores even if those developers sell them directly or through other channels, according to the StarTribune.

Supporters say it would level the playing field for developers and help them avoid sizable commissions collected by Apple and Google in the Apple App Store and Google Play. It’s part of a larger push making its way to state legislatures, including Arizona and Georgia, “to chip away at the power just a few companies have over much of the digital landscape,” according to The StarTribune.

“A lot of people are concerned about the increased influence and power that Big Tech has, and I think there’s a lot of interest in trying to make sure that we have a fair and open digital economy,” said Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, who is sponsoring the bill in the House.

Apple currently prohibits developers from using their own payment systems to charge customers in the app store. Under the proposed bill, Apple and Google cannot retaliate against a developer for using an alternative system to charge customers.