WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rick VanMeter, Executive Director of the Coalition for App Fairness (CAF) released the following statement after the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) published their Market Study Report on Mobile OS and Mobile App Distribution, which found that Apple and Google abuse their market position and hamper competition in the mobile application ecosystem.
“With the release of today’s report, Japan joins the growing list of jurisdictions that have concluded, after extensive study, that the mobile app ecosystem is dominated by two gatekeepers: Apple and Google.
“The JFTC identified a number of problems our members know all too well. First, Apple and Google’s complete control over their respective app stores has stifled competition in the marketplace. Second, app store gatekeepers wield their market power to abuse their competitors in a variety of ways. This abuse includes restricting competitor access to certain smartphone functions, leveraging competitor data to support development of competing products, also known as “sherlocking,” blocking direct communication between competitors and their customers, and forcing excessive fees and onerous restrictions on competitors.”
“Our members support the efforts by the Japanese government to implement policies to create a more competitive mobile application ecosystem. As is true in jurisdictions around the world, until policymakers and regulators act, Apple and Google will continue to vigorously defend their chokehold over the marketplace while consumers continue to suffer.” A summary of the JFTC’s report can be found here.
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About the Coalition for App Fairness
The Coalition for App Fairness is an independent nonprofit organization formed to protect consumer choice, foster competition, and create a level playing field for all app and game developers globally. Originally formed by Basecamp, Blix, Blockchain.com, Deezer, Epic Games, the European Publishers Council, Match Group, News Media Europe, Prepear, Proton, Skydemon, Spotify, and Tile, CAF has rapidly grown from 13 to over 70 members since launching in September 2020. CAF offers membership to companies of any size — join today at appfairness.org.
CAF Contact
February 9, 2023