Apple App Store: Difference between revisions

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Apple has made claims that they are unaware about the profitability of the App Store<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=17 Apr 2024 |title=Schiller doesn’t know whether the App Store is profitable; there are no minutes of meetings |url=https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/17/app-store-is-profitable-apple-notes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723043225/https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/17/app-store-is-profitable-apple-notes/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[9to5Mac]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=17 Jan 2025 |title=Apple denies App Store profit margin is 75% – claims to have no clue |url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/17/apple-denies-app-store-profit-margin-is-75-claims-to-have-no-clue/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063018/https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/17/apple-denies-app-store-profit-margin-is-75-claims-to-have-no-clue/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[9t05Mac]]}}</ref> but takes fees of up to 30% on digital product sales and subscriptions,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Tushar |date=2025-05-06 |title=Apple cuts App Store fees, but experts urge caution against new U.S. pricing guidelines |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/phones/what-experts-say-about-apple-app-store-pricing-changes/ |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=digitaltrends}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251228044205/https://www.digitaltrends.com/phones/what-experts-say-about-apple-app-store-pricing-changes/ Archived])</ref> ranging from game currency to supporting content creators<ref name="patreon">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=12 Aug 2024 |title=Patreon: adding Apple’s 30 percent tax is the price of staying in the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218629/patreon-membership-ios-30-percent-apple-tax |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128112633/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218629/patreon-membership-ios-30-percent-apple-tax |archive-date=28 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> to booking a Zoom call with a local business.<ref name="facebook">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Katie |last2=Nellis |first2=Stephen |date=28 Aug 2020 |title=Exclusive: Facebook says Apple rejected its attempt to tell users about App Store fees |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-apple-exclusive/exclusive-facebook-says-apple-rejected-its-attempt-to-tell-users-about-app-store-fees-idUSKBN25O042/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241110215209/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-apple-exclusive/exclusive-facebook-says-apple-rejected-its-attempt-to-tell-users-about-app-store-fees-idUSKBN25O042/ |archive-date=10 Nov 2024|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Some argue that these fees hinder iOS app developers from innovating because this money cannot be used to further improve their applications.{{Citation needed}} There are groups in support of developers who are experiencing difficulties in continuing development due to Apple (and [[Google]]'s) fees of between 15% and 30% of all revenue. These groups deny the notion that Apple and Google require the money generated by the app more than the developer.{{Citation needed}} These fees also push app developers to increase prices to maximize profits, which increases the prices for end users.

Because of this, several governments including South Korea,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Mar 2022 |title=South Korea approves rules on app store law targeting Apple, Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231110110331/https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |archive-date=10 Nov 2023|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=13 Jun 2024 |title=Japan forces Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores and payments |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114004250/https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Register]]}}</ref> the European Union (EU),<ref>~~[[wikipedia:~~Digital Markets Act|~~Digital Markets Act]]~~</ref> the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Competition and Markets Authority |date=4 Mar 2021 |title=Investigation into Apple AppStore |url=https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019195700/https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |archive-date=19 Oct 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[gov.uk]]}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Apr 2021 |title=Dominance of Apple and Google's app stores impacting competition and consumers |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251216185602/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |archive-date=16 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[ACCC]]}}</ref> as well as the US and a handful of US States<ref>~~[[wikipedia:~~Open App Markets Act|~~Open App Markets Act]]~~</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Nov 2024 |title=S.5364 - App Store Accountability Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113053216/https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |archive-date=13 Nov 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[congress.gov]]}}</ref><ref name="doj">{{Cite web |last=Balsamo |first=Mike |last2=Liedtke |first2=Mike |last3=Whitehurst |first3=Lindsay |last4=Bajak |first4=Frank |date=21 Mar 2024 |title=Justice Department sues Apple, alleging it illegally monopolized the smartphone market |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007161133/https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |archive-date=7 Oct 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[APNews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Feb 2021 |title=It’s time to free ourselves from ‘Big Tech’ monopoly |url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260205235654/https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |archive-date=5 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Arizona Capitol Times]]}}</ref> have opened investigations into anti-competitive practices as well as have considered or passed legislation to require "gatekeeper platforms" such as Apple to be more reasonable with third-party developers.

Because of this, several governments including South Korea,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Mar 2022 |title=South Korea approves rules on app store law targeting Apple, Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231110110331/https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |archive-date=10 Nov 2023|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=13 Jun 2024 |title=Japan forces Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores and payments |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114004250/https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Register]]}}</ref> the European Union (EU),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital Markets Act |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Markets_Act |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210074954/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Markets_Act |archive-date=10 Feb 2026 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref> the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Competition and Markets Authority |date=4 Mar 2021 |title=Investigation into Apple AppStore |url=https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019195700/https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |archive-date=19 Oct 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[gov.uk]]}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Apr 2021 |title=Dominance of Apple and Google's app stores impacting competition and consumers |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251216185602/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |archive-date=16 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[ACCC]]}}</ref> as well as the US and a handful of US States<ref>{{Cite web |title=Open App Markets Act |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_App_Markets_Act |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206000944/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_App_Markets_Act |archive-date=6 Feb 2026 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Nov 2024 |title=S.5364 - App Store Accountability Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113053216/https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |archive-date=13 Nov 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[congress.gov]]}}</ref><ref name="doj">{{Cite web |last=Balsamo |first=Mike |last2=Liedtke |first2=Mike |last3=Whitehurst |first3=Lindsay |last4=Bajak |first4=Frank |date=21 Mar 2024 |title=Justice Department sues Apple, alleging it illegally monopolized the smartphone market |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007161133/https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |archive-date=7 Oct 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[APNews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Feb 2021 |title=It’s time to free ourselves from ‘Big Tech’ monopoly |url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260205235654/https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |archive-date=5 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Arizona Capitol Times]]}}</ref> have opened investigations into anti-competitive practices as well as have considered or passed legislation to require "gatekeeper platforms" such as Apple to be more reasonable with third-party developers.

In response to such legislative measures, Apple has instituted geo-blocking operating system functionality based on physical location,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eligibility |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Eligibility |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251202053700/https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Eligibility |archive-date=2 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Apple Wiki]]}}</ref> misrepresenting/overstating risks, and using careful wording with commonly understood terms to describe difficult-to-use systems.{{Citation needed}}<!-- In addition to needing citations, these incidents should be better explained.

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"using care wording with commonly understood terms to describe difficult-to-use systems" - a citation would help of course, but on its own I have no idea what this is referring to or why it's a problem. -->

Unlike traditional software license purchases, Apple's App Store terms tie the license to a specific account, making it impossible for users to resell their licenses secondhand, buy apps secondhand, or inherit a license from a relative.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-10 |title=I can sell my apps? |url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5888894 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive~~.ph~~/~~DelOf~~ |archive-date=~~7 Jan~~ 2026 |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Apple Community}}</ref> This system has since been copied by numerous other players in the media and digital goods sector.

Unlike traditional software license purchases, Apple's App Store terms tie the license to a specific account, making it impossible for users to resell their licenses secondhand, buy apps secondhand, or inherit a license from a relative.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-10 |title=I can sell my apps? |url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5888894 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/nbrEh |archive-date=23 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Apple Community}}</ref> This system has since been copied by numerous other players in the media and digital goods sector.

==Background info==

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On 11 December 2023, the jury in the case against Google decided in favor of Epic Games on all 11 counts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bensinger |first=Greg |last2=Scarcella |first2=Mike |date=13 Dec 2023 |title=Epic Games wins antitrust case against Google over Play app store |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/google-epic-games-face-off-app-antitrust-trial-nears-end-2023-12-11/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240105051308/https://www.reuters.com/legal/google-epic-games-face-off-app-antitrust-trial-nears-end-2023-12-11/ |archive-date=5 Jan 2024|access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

On 1 May 2025, Rogers found that Apple ~~willfully~~ chose not to comply with the 2021 injunction, commenting that it was a "gross miscalculation" that "this court would tolerate such insubordination."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=1 May 2025 |title=A judge just blew up Apple’s control of the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/659246/apple-epic-app-store-judge-ruling-control |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204174552/https://www.theverge.com/news/659246/apple-epic-app-store-judge-ruling-control |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>

On 1 May 2025, Rogers found that Apple wilfully chose not to comply with the 2021 injunction, commenting that it was a "gross miscalculation" that "this court would tolerate such insubordination."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=1 May 2025 |title=A judge just blew up Apple’s control of the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/659246/apple-epic-app-store-judge-ruling-control |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204174552/https://www.theverge.com/news/659246/apple-epic-app-store-judge-ruling-control |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>

===Facebook online events===

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 Apple has made claims that they are unaware about the profitability of the App Store<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=17 Apr 2024 |title=Schiller doesn’t know whether the App Store is profitable; there are no minutes of meetings |url=https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/17/app-store-is-profitable-apple-notes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723043225/https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/17/app-store-is-profitable-apple-notes/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[9to5Mac]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=17 Jan 2025 |title=Apple denies App Store profit margin is 75% – claims to have no clue |url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/17/apple-denies-app-store-profit-margin-is-75-claims-to-have-no-clue/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063018/https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/17/apple-denies-app-store-profit-margin-is-75-claims-to-have-no-clue/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[9t05Mac]]}}</ref> but takes fees of up to 30% on digital product sales and subscriptions,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Tushar |date=2025-05-06 |title=Apple cuts App Store fees, but experts urge caution against new U.S. pricing guidelines |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/phones/what-experts-say-about-apple-app-store-pricing-changes/ |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=digitaltrends}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251228044205/https://www.digitaltrends.com/phones/what-experts-say-about-apple-app-store-pricing-changes/ Archived])</ref> ranging from game currency to supporting content creators<ref name="patreon">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=12 Aug 2024 |title=Patreon: adding Apple’s 30 percent tax is the price of staying in the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218629/patreon-membership-ios-30-percent-apple-tax |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128112633/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218629/patreon-membership-ios-30-percent-apple-tax |archive-date=28 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> to booking a Zoom call with a local business.<ref name="facebook">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Katie |last2=Nellis |first2=Stephen |date=28 Aug 2020 |title=Exclusive: Facebook says Apple rejected its attempt to tell users about App Store fees |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-apple-exclusive/exclusive-facebook-says-apple-rejected-its-attempt-to-tell-users-about-app-store-fees-idUSKBN25O042/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241110215209/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-apple-exclusive/exclusive-facebook-says-apple-rejected-its-attempt-to-tell-users-about-app-store-fees-idUSKBN25O042/ |archive-date=10 Nov 2024|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Some argue that these fees hinder iOS app developers from innovating because this money cannot be used to further improve their applications.{{Citation needed}} There are groups in support of developers who are experiencing difficulties in continuing development due to Apple (and [[Google]]'s) fees of between 15% and 30% of all revenue. These groups deny the notion that Apple and Google require the money generated by the app more than the developer.{{Citation needed}} These fees also push app developers to increase prices to maximize profits, which increases the prices for end users.
-Because of this, several governments including South Korea,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Mar 2022 |title=South Korea approves rules on app store law targeting Apple, Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231110110331/https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |archive-date=10 Nov 2023|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=13 Jun 2024 |title=Japan forces Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores and payments |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114004250/https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Register]]}}</ref> the European Union (EU),<ref>[[wikipedia:Digital Markets Act|Digital Markets Act]]</ref> the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Competition and Markets Authority |date=4 Mar 2021 |title=Investigation into Apple AppStore |url=https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019195700/https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |archive-date=19 Oct 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[gov.uk]]}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Apr 2021 |title=Dominance of Apple and Google's app stores impacting competition and consumers |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251216185602/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |archive-date=16 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[ACCC]]}}</ref> as well as the US and a handful of US States<ref>[[wikipedia:Open App Markets Act|Open App Markets Act]]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Nov 2024 |title=S.5364 - App Store Accountability Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113053216/https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |archive-date=13 Nov 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[congress.gov]]}}</ref><ref name="doj">{{Cite web |last=Balsamo |first=Mike |last2=Liedtke |first2=Mike |last3=Whitehurst |first3=Lindsay |last4=Bajak |first4=Frank |date=21 Mar 2024 |title=Justice Department sues Apple, alleging it illegally monopolized the smartphone market |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007161133/https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |archive-date=7 Oct 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[APNews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Feb 2021 |title=It’s time to free ourselves from ‘Big Tech’ monopoly |url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260205235654/https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |archive-date=5 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Arizona Capitol Times]]}}</ref> have opened investigations into anti-competitive practices as well as have considered or passed legislation to require "gatekeeper platforms" such as Apple to be more reasonable with third-party developers.
+Because of this, several governments including South Korea,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Mar 2022 |title=South Korea approves rules on app store law targeting Apple, Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231110110331/https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |archive-date=10 Nov 2023|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=13 Jun 2024 |title=Japan forces Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores and payments |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114004250/https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Register]]}}</ref> the European Union (EU),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital Markets Act |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Markets_Act |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210074954/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Markets_Act |archive-date=10 Feb 2026 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref> the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Competition and Markets Authority |date=4 Mar 2021 |title=Investigation into Apple AppStore |url=https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019195700/https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |archive-date=19 Oct 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[gov.uk]]}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Apr 2021 |title=Dominance of Apple and Google's app stores impacting competition and consumers |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251216185602/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |archive-date=16 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[ACCC]]}}</ref> as well as the US and a handful of US States<ref>{{Cite web |title=Open App Markets Act |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_App_Markets_Act |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206000944/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_App_Markets_Act |archive-date=6 Feb 2026 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Nov 2024 |title=S.5364 - App Store Accountability Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113053216/https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |archive-date=13 Nov 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[congress.gov]]}}</ref><ref name="doj">{{Cite web |last=Balsamo |first=Mike |last2=Liedtke |first2=Mike |last3=Whitehurst |first3=Lindsay |last4=Bajak |first4=Frank |date=21 Mar 2024 |title=Justice Department sues Apple, alleging it illegally monopolized the smartphone market |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007161133/https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |archive-date=7 Oct 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[APNews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Feb 2021 |title=It’s time to free ourselves from ‘Big Tech’ monopoly |url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260205235654/https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |archive-date=5 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Arizona Capitol Times]]}}</ref> have opened investigations into anti-competitive practices as well as have considered or passed legislation to require "gatekeeper platforms" such as Apple to be more reasonable with third-party developers.
 In response to such legislative measures, Apple has instituted geo-blocking operating system functionality based on physical location,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eligibility |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Eligibility |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251202053700/https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Eligibility |archive-date=2 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Apple Wiki]]}}</ref> misrepresenting/overstating risks, and using careful wording with commonly understood terms to describe difficult-to-use systems.{{Citation needed}}<!-- In addition to needing citations, these incidents should be better explained.
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 "using care wording with commonly understood terms to describe difficult-to-use systems" - a citation would help of course, but on its own I have no idea what this is referring to or why it's a problem. -->
-Unlike traditional software license purchases, Apple's App Store terms tie the license to a specific account, making it impossible for users to resell their licenses secondhand, buy apps secondhand, or inherit a license from a relative.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-10 |title=I can sell my apps? |url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5888894 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/DelOf |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Apple Community}}</ref> This system has since been copied by numerous other players in the media and digital goods sector.
+Unlike traditional software license purchases, Apple's App Store terms tie the license to a specific account, making it impossible for users to resell their licenses secondhand, buy apps secondhand, or inherit a license from a relative.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-10 |title=I can sell my apps? |url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5888894 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/nbrEh |archive-date=23 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Apple Community}}</ref> This system has since been copied by numerous other players in the media and digital goods sector.
 ==Background info==
@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 On 11 December 2023, the jury in the case against Google decided in favor of Epic Games on all 11 counts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bensinger |first=Greg |last2=Scarcella |first2=Mike |date=13 Dec 2023 |title=Epic Games wins antitrust case against Google over Play app store |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/google-epic-games-face-off-app-antitrust-trial-nears-end-2023-12-11/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240105051308/https://www.reuters.com/legal/google-epic-games-face-off-app-antitrust-trial-nears-end-2023-12-11/ |archive-date=5 Jan 2024|access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>
-On 1 May 2025, Rogers found that Apple willfully chose not to comply with the 2021 injunction, commenting that  it was a "gross miscalculation" that "this court would tolerate such insubordination."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=1 May 2025 |title=A judge just blew up Apple’s control of the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/659246/apple-epic-app-store-judge-ruling-control |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204174552/https://www.theverge.com/news/659246/apple-epic-app-store-judge-ruling-control |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
+On 1 May 2025, Rogers found that Apple wilfully chose not to comply with the 2021 injunction, commenting that  it was a "gross miscalculation" that "this court would tolerate such insubordination."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=1 May 2025 |title=A judge just blew up Apple’s control of the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/659246/apple-epic-app-store-judge-ruling-control |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204174552/https://www.theverge.com/news/659246/apple-epic-app-store-judge-ruling-control |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>
 ===Facebook online events===