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Privacy-focused software provider Proton, known for apps like Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, and Proton Drive, has taken legal action against Apple for alleged anticompetitive practices within the App Store. The lawsuit claims that Apple holds a monopoly in the smartphone market, app distribution, and app payment processing sectors. Proton also criticizes Apple’s fees, comparing them to tariffs on internet commerce, calling them “artificial and arbitrary.”
### The Lawsuit and Its Goals
The lawsuit seeks changes to the App Store and monetary damages, which Proton plans to donate to organizations fighting for democracy and human rights. Filed in the Northern District of California as part of a larger class-action suit, Proton joins other developers, including a group of Korean developers, in challenging Apple’s practices.
### A Challenge to Apple’s Dominance
Proton’s case comes in the wake of a previous legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, where Apple was not declared a monopoly but was required to allow U.S. app developers to link to alternative payment mechanisms without charging a commission. Proton’s angle focuses on questioning whether Apple’s fees are truly necessary to maintain the App Store, as the evidence from the Epic case suggests.
### Issues with Apple’s Policies
Proton also raises concerns about Apple’s policies around payments, specifically noting how developers are restricted from communicating discounts directly to customers within the app. Apps that do not support Apple’s payment system risk removal from the App Store, according to the lawsuit.
Overall, Proton’s case highlights the broader implications of Apple’s control over software distribution on iOS devices, touching on issues of consumer rights, business practices, and societal impact. By taking a stand against monopolistic practices, Proton aims to address the abuses of power that can arise from such dominance.
For comments on the matter, we have reached out to Apple but have not received an immediate response.
