U.S. Senators Urge Apple to Reconsider Decision Not to Testify in Upcoming App Store Hearing

[MacRumors]

Apple has decided not to testify in a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing on antitrust issues related to mobile App Stores, and U.S. senators have called Apple's refusal "unacceptable," reports Reuters.

In a letter addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook, senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee urged Apple to reconsider the decision because a "full and fair examination" of competition issues requires Apple's participation.

The senators say that Apple has been aware of the upcoming April hearing for weeks and even held discussions with Senate staff members on who would testify on Apple's behalf, but then Apple "abruptly declared" that it would provide no witness to testify at all.

Apple is citing its upcoming trial against Epic Games as the reason for not providing a witness for the App Store hearing, but the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights is not happy with that excuse.

There is no specific date set for the hearing as of yet, but Google plans to participate. It will look at the power that Apple and Google have over the cost, distribution, and availability of mobile apps on iPhone and Android devices.

Article Link: U.S. Senators Urge Apple to Reconsider Decision Not to Testify in Upcoming App Store Hearing

 

[WiseAJ]

Just set the hearing after the Epic Games trial and maybe Apple will participate. They kinda busy right now taking out the trash.

 

[jz0309]

I think I can appreciate Apples response as there might be implications forthcoming that would influence the Epic trial... but I’m not a legal expert and I would assume that Tim Cook will respond to the letter with clarification

 

[I7guy]

I would assume this stance was made on the advice of Apples' attorneys.

 

[MBAir2010]

HUH? Senators dont know the power and monopoly Google has over android phones?
they need an expensive and useless trial?
Even my cat knows one needs google play to install a garage door opener app
that spikes an alert when the door needs servicing and alerting repair tech from 100 miles to contact- stop
im overreacting
but made my point.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple is too busy dealing with EPIC give them some time. Everyone’s after Apple’s money. 😢

 

[Cosmosent]

There is NO benefit to Apple participating.

And, there is NO real need for a Hearing.

ALL of the facts are known !

Congress just needs to move forward with the proposed New Laws !

BTW, "Public" Hearings with Congress participating are a known Waste of Time !

ALL most member of Congress want out of such Public Hearings is Ammo for their RE-election campaign TV commercials !

ONLY "Private" Hearings have ANY real chance of being productive !

 

[Analog Kid]

Because a Senate hearing will bring deep insight leading to carefully considered public policy...

I’m pretty sure the only reason they hold hearings is to get the boss out of the office long enough for staffers to get actual work done.

 

[Naraxus]

What do you have to hide Apple?

 

[Realityck]

In a letter addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook, senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee urged Apple to reconsider the decision because a "full and fair examination" of competition issues requires Apple's participation.

The senators say that Apple has been aware of the upcoming April hearing for weeks and even held discussions with Senate staff members on who would testify on Apple's behalf, but then Apple "abruptly declared" that it would provide no witness to testify at all.

Apple is citing its upcoming trial against Epic Games as the reason for not providing a witness for the App Store hearing, but the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights is not happy with that excuse.

Since the trial involves one of the biggest complainers of the Apple store, the senate hearing really isn't a priority at all. One would think the senate might learn a lot from the trial.

 

[jav6454]

Waste of time, why not spend this time on something else? Like looking into why ISPs charge an arm and a leg for a half assed internet connection.

AT&T, Verizon, Comcrap and the likes have been milking the American people with their regional monopolies over network for years and I haven't seen on private hearing with tangible laws released. Yes, the FCC and its Net Neutrality helps, to an extent.

 

[Wildkraut]

If things were that clear, pro Apple, they wouldn’t be busy. It’s simply too difficult to find an escape route when you publicly fool people.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

There is NO benefit to Apple participating.

And, there is NO real need for a Hearing.

ALL of the facts are known !

Congress just needs to move forward with the proposed New Laws !

BTW, "Public" Hearings with Congress participating are a known Waste of Time !

ALL most member of Congress want out of such Public Hearings is Ammo for their RE-election campaign TV commercials !

ONLY "Private" Hearings have ANY real chance of being productive !

As Craig Federighi would say, it's not in our best interest NOT keeping people addicted to the Apple eco-system drugs.

 

[drumcat]

Didn't we just hear from a senior senator for companies to stay out of politics? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[wilhoitm]

Looks like this Epic vs. Apple thing is getting serious! Should I stop learning Unreal Engine 4?

 

[jeffreydi77]

Apple also appears to be stalling on Coronavirus Reporter antitrust case

Coronavirus Reporter v. Apple, Inc. (1:21-cv-00047), New Hampshire District Court

Coronavirus Reporter v. Apple, Inc. (1:21-cv-00047), New Hampshire District Court, Filed: 01/19/2021

www.pacermonitor.com

Apple Shouldn't Move Virus App Monopoly Suit, Rival Says - Law360

A coronavirus tracking application developer told a New Hampshire federal court Thursday that it shouldn't transfer to California its case alleging Apple used trumped-up excuses to keep competing tracking apps out of the App Store.

www.law360.com

 

[easy4lif]

What do you have to hide Apple?

Any that can be later used against them in the epic v Apple trial. Duh!

 

[jimbobb24]

Oh great politics is getting involved. The App Store sure was great while it lasted.

 

[genovelle]

Waste of time, why not spend this time on something else? Like looking into why ISPs charge an arm and a leg for a half assed internet connection.

AT&T, Verizon, Comcrap and the likes have been milking the American people with their regional monopolies over network for years and I haven't seen on private hearing with tangible laws released. Yes, the FCC and its Net Neutrality helps, to an extent.

Well Neutrality was neutered until a few weeks ago

 

[velocityg4]

Why bother if you can opt out? Politicians just use these things for grandstanding anyways. Then they’ll vote on party lines. It doesn’t matter what answers they get.

 

[ian87w]

HUH? Senators dont know the power and monopoly Google has over android phones?
they need an expensive and useless trial?
Even my cat knows one needs google play to install a garage door opener app
that spikes an alert when the door needs servicing and alerting repair tech from 100 miles to contact- stop
im overreacting
but made my point.

Well, gotta look useful for that tax money.

 

[IG88]

What do you have to hide Apple?

Hearings like this are often full of political grandstanding, and can end up being mainly self serving for the politicians. There's no upside for Apple to participate.

 

[himanshumodi]

The politicians use the public hearings to increase their general knowledge about tech things the don't want to spend time reading up on. I would not be surprised if they ask stupid how-to questions in such hearings. How do I get a widget. How do I turn off notifications. How do I buy a kindle book on iphone.

 

[dwaltwhit]

Senators: Could you come to our hearing?
Apple: Do we have to?
Sen: Well... no?
Apple: Well...then no

 

[Miles Teg]

Epic volunteered to show up in Apples place.