.
survey of app developers
A recent survey conducted by ClearPath Strategies shows that nearly 90% of app developers surveyed would support passage of targeted legislation aimed at prohibiting anti-competitive or self-preferencing practices in the App Store and other dominant platforms, such as the Open App Markets Act (OAMA). App developers surveyed stated the OAMA would create more competition and opportunities for innovation and growth in the online digital marketplace.
Key findings of the survey include:
86 percent of developers agree
86 percent of developers say there is a need for legislation prohibiting anti-competitive or self-preferencing practices in the app marketplace. The Open App Markets Act shows developers the possibility of a reality they would like to see.
The largest barriers to getting apps to consumers are app marketplace requirements. Half of the developers surveyed describe this as a massive barrier to entry for smaller ventures, larger than marketing or even technical design.
Developers say OAMA will help foster innovation, increase revenue for small and new businesses, lead to more hiring at higher wages, and establish a favorable app development industry in the US compared to other countries.
- I think that would be a watershed moment for most people… I think people would start creating more often. An open market has always fostered creativity. Chris, Software Engineer, MN
- I feel like Apple tries to restrict certain features or usage because they’re using it for a competitive advantage. Apple’s kind of differentiator, they kind of push for privacy and now they require that app tracking… you basically kind of have to disclose all the tracking or analytics that your product is doing… I feel like that gives them either access to data that no one else has… so they have kind of competitive intelligence of what all the apps are doing. Adam, Senior Software Engineer, IA
- I think it will give a cushion, cash cushion, to companies, not to sink in the future or to not seek outside investment, whereas Apple is piling up money after money to enforce more monopoly. Money will be distributed and more companies will flourish, that’s for sure. Subhransu, Software Engineer, TX
- I would hope that it translates into wage changes, especially if the company is getting that revenue, getting more revenue compared to before, then it should impact wages and it should increase. It should impact it in a positive way. Alok, Senior iOS Developer, NY
- I don’t understand how - unless you’re a giant brand and have the staying power to wait out those 30, to become profitable, I don’t know how any small-time developer can even get traction, whatsoever. Chris, Software Engineer, MN
- It would for sure make it so that smaller, independent developers that may not have the resources to go through some of the other processes or just the knowledge even to be able to get their content out there, which is always the great part about having something that’s more open. Miguel, iOS Developer, UT
“Our research shows that as developers learn about the Open App Markets Act, there is overwhelming support for an app ecosystem where barriers are removed and they have the opportunity to innovate,” said David Bluestone, Founder and Partner, ClearPath Strategies. “What’s exciting about this bi-partisan legislation is that smaller, independent developer entrepreneurs can clearly see benefits. Based on the research, they believe this legislation will help them create better products for customers and hire more developers for their companies.”
Methodology
- On behalf of the Coalition for App Fairness, ClearPath Strategies conducted an online survey December 2021 – January 2022 of 190 app developers in AZ, CA, CO, IA, IL, MN, NC, NY, TN, TX, and UT.
- The survey’s margin of error is +/- 7.11 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence interval.
- ClearPath also conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) with an app developer in each state, 11 IDIs in total.
- Full results of the survey can be found here.
Open App Markets Act
For too long, app stores have abused their monopoly power to throttle competition and innovation and stifle consumer choice and freedom in the digital marketplace.
The bipartisan Open App Markets Act would rein in these gatekeepers and the unfair and anti-competitive practices running rampant in app stores today to make a freer, fairer, more competitive app economy of tomorrow.