A report by the Biden administration says further pro-competition legislation is likely needed.

Biden administration officials took aim at Apple and Google in a new report that describes them as “gatekeepers” of mobile apps that consumers and businesses rely on.

The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) says consumers “need to have more control over their devices” and argues that more legislation is likely needed to strengthen competition in the app ecosystem. The agency also argues that “the current ecosystem is not a level playing field,” Engadget wrote on the topic.

The NTIA says the second problem it has identified is that Apple and Google are imposing technical barriers that could make it harder for developers to compete. These can include factors such as restrictions on how apps function and pushing apps through “slow and opaque review processes,” the report said.

The agency found that while there are some advantages to the current mobile app ecosystem, especially when it comes to security measures, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. It added that it is still possible to strengthen privacy and security in a more competitive market. To get there, NTIA proposes making several changes.

In addition, measures should be put in place to prevent restrictions on sideloading, web apps and other app stores, “while preserving appropriate leeway for privacy and security safeguards,” the agency said.
Google is testing third-party payment options for some Android apps, while Apple last year began allowing some app makers to direct users to its payment and account management websites.

There have been attempts in Congress to increase competition in the mobile app ecosystem. Proposed legislation, called the Open App Marketplaces Act, was not passed in the last session despite receiving bipartisan support. It would have required Apple and Google to allow developers to use third-party app stores and payment systems.Google has been testing third-party payment options for some Android apps, while Apple last year began allowing some app makers to direct users to its payment and account management websites.

There have been attempts in Congress to increase competition in the mobile app ecosystem. Proposed legislation, called the Open App Marketplaces Act, was not passed in the last session despite receiving bipartisan support. It would have required Apple and Google to allow developers to use third-party app stores and payment systems.