The Coalition for App Fairness (CAF) has expressed support for the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple. The group, which includes prominent app makers such as Epic Games, Spotify, Deezer, Match Group, Proton, and others, believes that action is necessary to address Apple’s control over the mobile app ecosystem.
Rick VanMeter, Executive Director of the CAF, stated, “The Department of Justice is rightfully challenging Apple’s monopoly on the mobile app market, which harms both consumers and developers. Apple’s practices, as detailed in the complaint, have stifled competition, raised prices, imposed excessive fees, and limited user choice. This lawsuit aligns with global efforts to address Apple’s anticompetitive behavior.”
Several members of the CAF, such as Epic and Spotify, have been involved in legal disputes with Apple over its business practices.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has criticized Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases, which he considers unfair. Epic’s move to offer alternate payment options in Fortnite led to its removal from the App Store and subsequent legal battles. While some concessions have been made, Apple has not been found guilty of monopolistic behavior.
As the Digital Markets Act (DMA) was implemented in the EU, Spotify has also challenged Apple’s compliance with the regulations, calling it inadequate and burdensome for developers.
In response, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek criticized Apple’s approach, stating, “Apple’s history of regulatory avoidance raises doubts about their intentions. The law should apply to all, including Apple.”
Apple, on the other hand, views the CAF as a group of entities conspiring against them for personal gain. In their defense against the antitrust lawsuit, Apple emphasized the importance of innovation and competition in the tech industry.
Apple stated, “This lawsuit challenges our core values and threatens the unique Apple experience fueled by innovation across hardware, software, and services. It sets a dangerous precedent for government intervention in technology design. We will vigorously defend our position against this lawsuit.”
