Tending the Garden: How to Ensure That App Stores Put Users First

Tending the Garden: How to Ensure That App Stores Put Users First

Tending the Garden: How to Ensure That App Stores Put Users First

This paper recommends:

• That platforms only apply in-app purchase rules to genuine app functionality that could otherwise have been a single up-front purchase;
• That platforms allow users to “sideload” apps but only from recognized developers (under a code-signing system that recognizes multiple certificate authorities);
• That platforms follow certain guardrails to ensure the ability of independent app and hardware developers to compete on an even playing field;
• That platforms allow archiving, emulation, and transfer of apps and digital content; and
• That developers be given more business model flexibility, such as offering traditional free trials of paid apps, and upgrade pricing.