Microsoft president Brad Smith laid out a set of "Open
App Store Principles" that will apply to the store it runs for
Windows-powered computers and "the next-generation marketplaces we will
build for games."
"We have developed these principles in part to address
Microsoft's growing role and responsibility as we start the process of seeking
regulatory approval in capitals around the world for our acquisition of
Activision Blizzard," Smith said in a statement.
Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy video game powerhouse
Activision Blizzard needs to pass muster with regulators in Europe and the
United States intent on reining in tech titans.
After the merger plans were announced last month, analysts
told AFP the deal would certainly be scrutinized, but likely less intensely
than would an acquisition by Amazon, Google, or Facebook-parent Meta.
Microsoft appeared to be trying to differentiate itself from
Apple and Google, who have been accused of tightly controlling their respective
app stores and taking too big a bite out of revenue brought in by developers.
Principles outlined by Microsoft included allowing all
developers access to its app store and not requiring them to use the technology
firm's payment system for in-app transactions.
All apps in a Microsoft shop will be treated equally,
according to Smith.
"We want to encourage more innovation and investment in
content creation and fewer constraints on distribution," he said.
"The world needs open app markets, and this requires
open app stores."
Tech giants have come under fire from multiple fronts for
app store controls.
In January, Apple was fined EUR five million by the Dutch
consumer watchdog for failing to allow dating app operators to choose payment
options other than the Apple Pay system in its Dutch App Store.
In November, a US federal court ordered Apple to loosen
control of its App Store payment options after a legal clash with Fortnite
creator Epic Games, which had accused the iPhone maker of operating a monopoly
in its shop for digital goods or services.
The US judge, however, said Epic had failed to prove that
antitrust violations had taken place
Epic Games is locked in bitter legal battles with Apple and
Google, whose operating systems run nearly all the smartphones in the world.
Both companies charge what they deem appropriate fees on
transactions made on Apple's App Store and Google Play.
But app makers have become increasingly furious in recent
years over the cut taken by the tech giants.
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