Congress moves to break Big Tech's app store monopoly grip
H.R. 5313 — App Store Freedom Act · Filed by Russell Fry (R-SC) · Introduced Sep 11, 2025 · Referred to committee
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This bill requires large tech companies that control both an operating system and an app store (with 100M+ US users) to allow users to install alternative app stores, choose different default apps, and prevent the company from punishing developers who use competing payment systems or offer different pricing elsewhere. It also bars these companies from using confidential developer data to compete unfairly. The FTC enforces the rules, with states able to sue as well, and violations carry civil penalties up to $1M each.
Why we flagged it
This bill directly regulates app store operators by mandating interoperability, preventing exclusive payment systems, and restricting anti-competitive conduct. It is fundamentally a competition/antitrust measure targeting large platform operators, not a commemorative or appropriations bill.
What the text implies
- Requires FTC to issue guidance within 180 days before the law takes effect, creating a 6-month implementation window that may allow covered companies to lobby for favorable regulatory interpretation.
- The $1M per-violation civil penalty may be insufficient to deter large tech companies with multi-billion-dollar revenues, potentially limiting enforcement effectiveness.
The full analysis lists 5 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
alternative app store operators; independent app developers; third-party payment processors