Today, a group of U.S. Senators reintroduced the Open App Markets Act (OAMA) in the Senate. The legislation aims to require smartphone operating systems to allow app installations through third-party app stores and mandate that app stores accept third-party payment processing systems. Additionally, it seeks to impose restrictions on self-preferencing and data practices.
The bill is sponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). This marks another attempt to pass the legislation after previous efforts were unsuccessful.
David Williams, President of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), expressed opposition to the bill. He stated, “Here we go again. OAMA shows that bad ideas never completely go away, they just lay dormant.” Williams criticized the bill as “deeply flawed” and “bad policy,” arguing that its reintroduction fails to address previously raised concerns.
Williams further contended that “OAMA erodes critical cybersecurity protections and parental controls on smartphones,” suggesting that tech companies would assume roles better suited for parents and caretakers. He also challenged claims by supporters of OAMA regarding consumer choice, stating, “Paradoxically, the bill would, in fact, reduce consumer choice.”
According to Williams, consumers prefer simpler and closed smartphone ecosystems due to their security features against malicious software. He argued that forcing all systems to accept unauthorized software could introduce cybersecurity risks.
Williams concluded by noting that despite multiple introductions of OAMA, it has not become law due to potential harm it poses to the American economy and cybersecurity ecosystem. He urged policymakers to continue opposing the bill in order to protect consumers’ privacy.
