Bilirakis and Schakowsky Seek Answers from Apple on the App Store and Blockchain Apps

WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), who serve as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee, sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook inquiring about the company’s App Store Guidelines and sharing concerns about how the tech giant may be using those guidelines to restrict emerging technologies like blockchains, nonfungible tokens (NFTs), and other distributed ledger technologies.   In requesting information and documents from Apple regarding the “policies in place governing Apple’s iOS App Store,” the lawmakers outlined broader concerns about how Apple’s policies may be negatively impacting American leadership in emerging technologies.    Today’s letter follows up on a November 2022 letter the lawmakers sent to Apple regarding possible security weaknesses and foreign surveillance from TikTok and other apps originating from China.

“While Apple has argued these limitations increase security by creating a walled garden, many are concerned that Apple has used the app store as a weapon against competitors,” said Chairman Bilirakis and Ranking Member Schakowsky. “It is essential that Congress fully understand the App Store Guidelines and the extent to which these guidelines limit innovation and impact American technological leadership.  Our subcommittee remains committed to promoting full transparency and ensuring that Big Tech is held accountable for monopolistic behavior.  We want to create a level playing field within the industry so that American ingenuity can continue to thrive.”

To read the full letter, click here.