STOCKHOLM – Leading media-and digital consumer brands company in the Nordics, Schibsted has previously addressed and acted upon the threat of unfair competition by dominant global digital platforms. This affects both consumers and businesses negatively. Now the company joins in with several other leading digital services as a member of the Coalition for App Fairness.
There are several issues that digital companies face in the light of how global gatekeeper platforms operate. The demand for news is constantly increasing and the most common income source for news publications over the past decades has been advertising revenue. However, this is no longer viable since the vast majority of growth in digital advertisement ends up in the hands of the global tech giants.
The relationship with readers and app store customers is also under threat especially in the Apple App Store where Apple has arbitrarily been imposing unfair terms and conditions on some of Schibsted´s online news apps – including requiring the implementation of Apple´s In-App Purchase as the only payment method offered to customers purchasing digital services through an app. When using this payment method, Apple charges 15-30 % of the transaction amount, while at the same time taking control over the customer relationship and the data generated in the app.
“The Coalition for App Fairness is a very important initiative that addresses the issues we face in the app market. We have actively been raising the unfair practices by Apple and now want to join forces with other companies facing similar challenges”, says Petra Wikström, Director of Public Policy at Schibsted.
“For over a hundred years Schibsted has been a leader in publishing, delivering high-quality content for their readers and we are thrilled to welcome them as members to the Coalition for App Fairness. Together we will advocate for app store policies that create a level playing field, hold Apple accountable, and give consumers freedom of choice,” said Sarah Maxwell, spokeswoman for the Coalition for App Fairness.
This is something Schibsted shares with many other companies in the app industry, and that the organization CAF is addressing in a very clear manner, primarily through ten guiding app store principles. Standing on the app developers side urging recognition and fair business play of every app developer regardless size or business.
As a member, Schibsted will have a louder voice in a global debate around unfair app store practices. We also look forward to supporting the organization’s development and possibilities to act further.
Examples of other members are Blockchain.com, Epic Games, the European Publishers Council, Match Group, News Media Europe, Protonmail, SkyDemon, and Spotify.
Schibsted is an international family of digital consumer brands with more than 5 000 employees. The company holds world-class media houses in Scandinavia, leading marketplaces and digital services that empower consumers in their daily lives. Millions of people interact with Schibsted companies every day.
You can learn more about the Coalition and its App Store Principles on the Coalition for App Fairness website at ompcdev.wpengine.com.