Open App Markets Act

Increased Consumer Choice and Lower Costs: By prohibiting covered companies from requiring specific in-app payment systems or imposing restrictive pricing terms, the bill aims to increase choice and reduce costs for consumers (Section 3(a)).

Improved Competition for Developers: The act prevents covered companies from using a developer's nonpublic business information to compete against them, which protects third-siders (Section 3(c)).

Greater Control Over Devices: Users are given the ability to choose third-party apps or app stores as defaults, install apps through means other than the covered company's app store, and hide or delete preinstalled apps (Section 3(d)).

Fairer Search Results: The bill prohibits companies from using algorithms or ranking schemes to unfairly preference their own apps over others in organic search results (Section 3(e)).

Expanded Access for Developers: Companies must provide developers with access to operating system interfaces, hardware, and software features on terms equivalent to those provided to the company's own partners (Section 3(f)).

Protection for Injured Parties: Developers who are harmed by violations of this act can sue for threefold damages and legal fees (Section 5(b)).

Security and Privacy Risks: While the bill allows for actions necessary to achieve user privacy or security, any deviations from these rules could potentially impact how users interact with third-party apps or stores (Section 4(a)).

Limited Legal Recourse for Some: Developers of apps owned or controlled by a foreign state are prohibited from bringing actions for damages under this act (Section 5(b)(3)).