On July 28, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gus Bilirakis and Jan Schakowsky, penned a letter addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook, seeking further clarity on the App Store’s policies and guidelines about crypto-apps.
The lawmakers highlighted specific issues, particularly regarding the implementation of "lite" versions of crypto apps, which Apple mandates for release. They believe that this move may serve to generate profits for Apple while simultaneously reducing the utility of these apps. As an alternative case, they pointed to the experience of Axie Infinity on the App Store, which is a prime example of this strategy.
Axie Infinity’s "lite" version is a limited edition of the popular game that excludes core NFT mechanics and remains unavailable for users in the United States. It was released in May 2023 and is available in Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
What's wrong
Despite Apple's argument that these limitations ensure better security through a controlled environment, commonly referred to as a "walled garden", the lawmakers argue that the App Store may be acting as a tool to suppress competition. According to the letter, this potentially harmful approach could pose a significant threat to the United States' technological leadership in the rapidly advancing sphere of blockchain and NFTs.
In addition to seeking clarity on Apple’s crypto policies, the lawmakers are pushing for more information about the company’s position on foreign users, prioritization strategies, and other factors influencing the handling of crypto-related applications.
Apple has until August 14 to respond to this inquiry.
Also read: What is NFT
