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A group of bipartisan lawmakers in the United States recently directed their attention to Apple CEO Tim Cook, seeking in-depth insights into how the company’s App Store guidelines are influencing “Apple’s iOS App Store and how these policies are impacting American leadership in emerging technologies, including blockchains, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other distributed ledger technologies.”
Criticism from notable figures like Jack Dorsey and Coinbase has put Apple’s App Store rules under scrutiny, prompting Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), the chairman and ranking member of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee, to pen a letter to Cook expressing their concerns.
One critical incident highlighted in the letter occurred in December of the previous year when Coinbase revealed that Apple had blocked the company from offering NFTs without using Apple’s in-app purchase system. The lawmakers believe that Apple may have leveraged its App Store guidelines to bolster its profits while hindering the growth of apps based on blockchain technology, NFTs, and other related technologies.
The letter to Cook emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of how the App Store guidelines impact innovation and American technological advancements. By supporting novel technologies such as blockchains, NFTs, and distributed ledgers, Apple could play a significant role in solidifying America’s leadership in these domains.
The lawmakers’ letter includes a series of detailed questions, focusing on App Review’s handling of various application reviews, whether Apple intends to develop apps using blockchain or related technologies, and more.
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It’s worth noting that in the past, Apple CEO Tim Cook has expressed his ownership of cryptocurrencies as part of his investment portfolio. He also hinted at Apple’s interest in the crypto space, although the company had not yet made any official announcements at the time of the inquiry.
The congressional inquiry seeks to shed light on the inner workings of the App Store guidelines and their potential impact on the burgeoning field of emerging technologies. As both critics and proponents await Cook’s response, the future of American leadership in these crucial technological domains hangs in the balance.