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NetChoice Calls Out the Open App Markets Act as a Trojan Horse for Cybercriminals

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Open App Markets Act (OAMA) is apparently coming back—and it’s still the defective legislation it always was.

NetChoice strongly opposes this misguided proposal, which masquerades as “competition” reform while bulldozing privacy protections, security safeguards and consumer welfare in favor of a Washington-dictated tech experience.

“This bill opens a Pandora’s box of privacy violations, foreign interference and government micromanagement of software design,” said Patrick Hedger, NetChoice Director of Policy. “OAMA forces American companies to permit sideloading of potentially hazardous apps and strips app stores of their ability to vet bad actors, effectively opening up secure U.S. tech systems to our geopolitical rivals on a silver platter. That’s not competition—it’s sabotage that will harm families first to benefit rival, foreign software companies. If lawmakers want to support competition in digital markets, they should encourage innovation—not torpedo American tech just to score political points.”

  • OAMA undermines user security by banning Apple and Google from requiring apps to be downloaded through trusted stores and carefully vetting those apps.
  • It violates the First Amendment by letting the government dictate app store terms and conditions.
  • It creates backdoors for foreign and malicious apps, handcuffing the very companies that are protecting consumers from fraud, abuse and espionage.

NetChoice urges Congress to once again reject OAMA and support digital security, free markets and innovation.

Please contact press@netchoice.org with inquiries.