I lived in North Dakota for 37 years. Normally, when the North Dakota legislature makes the national news it is because they have done something particularly ignorant. This has happened several times this session. However, North Dakota is now considering challenging Apple over the lack of flexibility in options provided customers of iOS devices. This issue resurfaces the issue raised by companies who are objecting to Apple wanting to take their 30% of fees for optional services users of apps can purchase.
Apple allows, but discourages the purchase or free download of software of its computer OS. There are legitimate concerns for purchasing software through an official outlet. I have a couple of times not been careful in installing downloaded software and found that I also had installed some unwanted service from the company providing the download. This is a legitimate issue and one needs to be careful that any software downloaded comes from the company selling or providing that software and not from a site hosting various downloads. This safety issue could apply to Google and Apple apps from other sources, but it does not explain Apple’s objection to the tax Apple wants to apply to optional services.
Apple rightfully touts its privacy commitment. However, it has its own issues when it comes to respecting the rights of customers. All of the large tech companies conveniently ignore practices that would harm their core business model. Google supports ad revenue. Apple supports locking users into purchasing software through their store. Privacy ends up as a convenient explanation for the monopolistic regulations Apple applies to the non-Apple software users decide to purchase.