Apple CEO Tim Cook will testify before the House Judiciary Committee as part of an antitrust investigation. While the hearing will be tomorrow, Cook shared a statement with the press today about how he believes Apple does not carry out anti-competitive practices, claiming that the App Store does the opposite.
According to a Bloomberg According to the report, the Apple CEO says the company is not dominant in any market, as other companies such as Google and Samsung are leaders in market share. Cook believes the investigation into antitrust practices is necessary, but reaffirms that Apple will not make any concessions.
“After starting with 500 applications, today the App Store houses more than 1.7 million, of which only 60 are Apple software,” says Cook. “Clearly, if Apple is a gatekeeper, what we’ve done is open the widest gate. We want to get all the apps we can in the store, not keep them away. “
In his vision, the App Store provided new ways for developers to establish businesses that were impossible before the iPhone, running counter to accusations that Apple uses its power against other companies. It also mentions that the App Store has more than 1.7 million apps today, but only 60 are Apple software.
Clearly, if Apple is a gatekeeper, what we’ve done is open the widest gate. We want to get all the apps we can in the store, not keep them away.
As for the commissions Apple charges developers for each sale through the App Store, Cook reiterates that they are essential to maintain the structure of the store, which he says is better than anything that existed in the past.
Currently, developers have to pay 15% to 30% of the commission to Apple, which has been criticized by other companies as they claim that it is a way that Apple can make its own services more attractive against them. Applications. To avoid these fees, developers increase the prices of their products for iOS users or even completely eliminate the possibility of subscribing to services through applications.
In more than a decade since the App Store debuted, we’ve never raised the commission or added a one-time fee. In fact, we’ve reduced them for subscriptions and exempted additional app categories. The App Store evolves with the times, and every change we’ve made has been in the direction of providing a better experience for our users and a compelling business opportunity for developers.
Earlier today, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller stated that Apple treats all apps in the App Store with the same rules. However, he acknowledged that Apple has made some concessions to address the needs of specific developers.
The hearing will take place at 12 pm ET on Wednesday, July 29. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, CEOs will be allowed to appear remotely via video conference instead of presenting in person.
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