The skyline Apple is facing with iOS isn’t exactly pink, at least with regard to what my colleague Isidro defined, very rightly, in my opinion, as a fenced garden. And I say that the comparison seems very precise to me, apart from the poetic touch, as he himself said, because it draws into our minds a calm, pleasant space in which we can feel comfortable and calm (well, more or less calm). , you understand me) and enjoy the birdsong, the color of the flowers and, we will not deny it, the exclusivity of the space.

This unique state of iOS is positive for some and negative for others, to the extent that many top users choose this or that option based, at least in part, on this particular Apple policy. Personally, and I’m going to get wet, I feel good in the fenced garden, where I’ve been since 2009, although it would be hypocritical to deny that I was a regular prison break for many years, a habit that I had left for some time.

Now, in my case, as in the case of most of us, our opinion is the opinion of the user (or non-user) of iOS, but There are other perspectives that are also important to consider when it comes to whether Apple’s iOS policy is good or bad, and that’s where developers and service providers argue that iOS is an ecosystem closed to competition and therefore a clear example of a monopoly, exactly one of the most persecuted by regulators.

This is nothing new in Europe, where the Digital Markets Act could force Apple to open iOS to third-party payment systems and app stores, in line with measures such as those taken by the Dutch regulator, which has already imposed a significant fine. into society. And now it seems The United States could follow the same path based on an open NTIA consultation (National Telecommunications and Information Administration), which points to the investigation of the ecosystem of application stores and, of course, their environment.

In the three communications issued by the entity, we can read a rather remarkable paragraph regarding Apple’s iOS policy:

«The US information technology industry has long been an engine of innovation and growth, but today a small number of dominant Internet platforms use their power to foreclose market participants, generate monopoly profits, and gather insider information that they can use for their purposes. advantage. Too many small businesses across the economy depend on these platforms and some online marketplaces to survive.»

It is impossible not to associate iOS with the phrase «Today, a small number of dominant Internet platforms use their power to foreclose market participants and generate monopoly profits“, then This is exactly the accusation that has been pouring on more and more sources on iOS for years.

In the short term, we should not expect a change in the regulatory framework for app stores in the United States, so if state laws are not passed in this regard, Apple will be able to maintain the iOS model for some time to come. But it’s getting clearer it’s only a matter of time before they have to open iOS to third-party stores and payment systems. It is now a question of when this will happen and subsequently when access to the garden will no longer be restricted.