Malena Dailey, PPI’s Technology Policy Analyst, released the following statement in reaction to recent reports that the Open App Markets Act has been attached to the Senate’s proposed omnibus funding bill:
“As the House and Senate deliberate this year’s omnibus bill, PPI urges Congress to exclude the Open App Markets Act from the legislation. The Open App Markets Act attempts to encourage competition for app developers, but does so at the expense of consumers, compromising both the security of the devices we use everyday and the ability for customers to choose the type of software that best fits their needs.
“From mobile phones to more general smart devices, unique app stores have become a standard for consumer tech products. While some operating systems allow for downloads from third-party app stores or the internet, others prioritize security in their products by only allowing users to go through a designated, secure payment system for pre-approved apps. By mandating every operating system to follow the same business model, Congress takes this choice away from consumers, potentially exposing users to unnecessary security risks. We urge Congress to put consumer choice first and exclude the bill in the Senate omnibus package.”
Read Malena Dailey’s February 2022 analysis on the harms of the Open App Markets Act here.
The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org.
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Media Contact: Aaron White; awhite@ppionline.org
