Credit: ExtremeTech

Various small tech companies are protesting app store policies.

Since they began their recent protest against Apple’s App Store policies, Fortnite creator Epic Games has drawn support from several other faces in the tech industry with similar grievances. This loose group of disgruntled companies has formally organized into a coalition against biased business practices used by app store owners like Apple and Google. This coalition, aptly titled The Coalition for App Fairness, in addition to Epic Games, consists of companies like Tile, Spotify, Match Group, Blockchain, and more.


“Apple uses its control of the iOS operating system to favor itself by controlling the products and features that are available to consumers,” the coalition’s website reads. “Apple requires equipment manufacturers to limit options, forces developers to sell through its App Store, and even steals ideas from competitors.”

Credit: Coalition for App Fairness

In an effort to fight Apple and Google’s policies, the coalition has created a list of ten primary principles in order to ensure fairness among all who conduct business on an app storefront. These ten principles include allowing app developers to freely communicate with app users, not being required to use a particular storefront’s services, and not having their apps be underpromoted compared to apps created by the storefront’s owner, among other rules.

“We believe that every app developer is entitled to fair treatment and that every consumer should have complete control over their own device. Our App Store Principles will ensure a level playing field for platforms like Apple and a consistent standard of conduct across the app ecosystem,” the coalition website explains.

The Coalition for App Fairness is currently inviting all companies, no matter their size or field, to join them. Those who join will receive support and resources from the coalition’s pool.