Apple recent move to block Beeper, the app facilitating iMessage for Android users
Apple has drawn bipartisan scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers. Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized Apple for anticompetitive actions, and now a coalition, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee, along with Representatives Jerry Nadler and Ken Buck, is urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Apple’s handling of the Beeper Mini messaging application.
In a letter to U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kanter, the lawmakers emphasized the crucial role of interoperability in fostering competition and consumer choice in communication services. They pointed to the Dept. of Commerce’s earlier characterization of Apple as a “gatekeeper” with a “monopoly position” within its app ecosystem, underscoring the need for a thorough examination of Apple’s conduct.
Citing Beeper CEO Eric Migicovsky’s 2015 testimony expressing concerns about dominant messaging services creating barriers to interoperability, the lawmakers argue that recent events have validated those concerns. They contend that the DOJ’s Antitrust Division must investigate further, given the potential anticompetitive nature of Apple’s recent actions.
The clash between Beeper and Apple has escalated with the launch of Beeper Mini, an app providing iMessage support to Android users. Originally priced at $1.99 per month, Beeper made the app free as Apple disrupted message delivery. Despite Beeper’s swift resolutions, Apple persisted in blocking messages for approximately 5% of Beeper’s user base.
Apple defended its actions by citing security and privacy risks posed by Beeper’s techniques, including metadata exposure and vulnerability to unwanted messages and phishing attacks. Beeper’s CEO, Eric Migicovsky, challenged Apple to agree to an independent third-party security audit to verify the app’s end-to-end encryption. However, Apple has yet to respond to this proposal.
Beeper Mini currently allows users to authenticate using their Apple ID and will remain free until further notice to mitigate potential interference from Apple. Eric Migicovsky expressed optimism about bipartisan legislators addressing the issue, indicating ongoing developments in the Beeper versus Apple saga.
