US state advances bill breaking App Store grip on payments

The Arizona bill, which has a long way to go before becoming law in that state, would bar major app stores from using a particular payment system for transactions. — Dreamstime/TNS

SAN FRANCISCO: The US state of Arizona on March 3 advanced a bill that would break the cherished grip that Apple and Google have on the handling of payments in mobile apps.

Apple and Google require developers to use their payment systems for transactions at their online shops for mobile apps, services, and digital goods, taking a bite of 30% or less of transactions as commission.