Apple and Google lose app store gatekeeping power under new interoperability law

What it does

This bill requires Apple, Google, and other companies that control both a major app store and the operating system it runs on to allow users to install competing app stores, choose different default apps, and delete pre-installed apps. It also prohibits these companies from forcing developers to use their payment systems, punishing developers who sell elsewhere at different prices, or using confidential developer data to compete unfairly. The FTC and state attorneys general can enforce the rules with civil penalties up to $1 million per violation.

Why we flagged it

The bill's core mechanism is structural deregulation of app distribution: it removes gatekeeping restrictions that platform owners (Apple, Google) currently enforce, enabling third-party app stores and alternative payment systems. This is not a subsidy or carve-out but a competitive-access mandate.

What the text implies

• Intellectual property carve-out (Section 5(3)–(5)) allows covered companies to block apps that infringe copyrights, trademarks, or trade secrets without FTC challenge, potentially preserving gatekeeping under IP guise.
• National security exception (Section 5(6)) exempts covered companies from sharing data with Chinese entities or foreign adversaries, creating a loophole that could justify selective blocking of competing app stores on security grounds.
• State law preemption (Section 4(a)) prevents states from imposing stricter app store rules, capping enforcement to federal FTC action and state attorneys general, which may slow remedies in states with aggressive consumer protection laws.
• Effective date tied to FTC guidance (Section 7(b)) means the bill does not take effect until the FTC issues compliance guidance, potentially delaying implementation by 180+ days and allowing covered companies time to lobby for narrow guidance.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Users gain the ability to install competing app stores and choose default apps, reducing lock-in and enabling price competition. Developers escape forced use of platform payment systems and punitive retaliation for selling at different prices elsewhere, lowering barriers to entry and innovation. The bill directly addresses consumer harm from platform gatekeeping.

Who stands to gain

• app developers (reduced payment processing fees, freedom to set own pricing)
• alternative app store operators (new market entry enabled)
• users (lower app prices, expanded choice)

Named in the bill

Apple Inc., Google LLC, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), State attorneys general, App developers, Alternative app store operators

Where it stands

• Sep 11, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Sep 11, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

1 lobbying clients named this bill on 2 disclosure filings across 2 quarters, Dec 2025 to Jun 2026. Those filings disclosed $360,000 in lobbying spend. A filing names 6 bills on average, so that figure is what each filing reported, not a share belonging to this bill.

More lobbying clients named this bill than 0% of bills with at least one filing.

Russell Fry, the sponsor, reported $817,999 in PAC receipts in the 2026 cycle.

• Apple Inc. — $360,000 on 2 filings

Lobbying Disclosure Act filings through Jul 20, 2026. A filing shows who paid to lobby on a bill it names, not what changed.