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Privacy-focused software provider Proton, makers of Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and other apps, has sued Apple<\/a>, alleging anticompetitive practices in Apple\u2019s App Store. In the new lawsuit, Proton says the iPhone maker holds a monopoly in the smartphone, app distribution, and app payment processing markets. It also compares Apple\u2019s fees to tariffs on internet commerce, calling them \u201cartificial and arbitrary.\u201d<\/p>\n The suit is looking for changes to the App Store and monetary damages, which Proton says will be donated to organizations fighting for democracy and human rights.<\/p>\n The court papers<\/a>, filed in the Northern District of California, are part of a larger class-action suit against Apple. Proton says it\u2019s joining other developers, including a group of Korean developers<\/a>, who are also suing the tech giant.<\/p>\n The suit is among the latest to challenge Apple\u2019s choke hold on the mobile app market.<\/p>\n It follows another yearslong battle between Epic Games and Apple, which Apple largely won as it was declared not to be a monopoly<\/a>, setting a precedent for the new lawsuit to argue against. However, the judge in that case also ruled that Apple must let U.S. app developers link<\/a> to their websites where they offer alternative payment mechanisms, without charging a commission on those sales. (Apple is still fighting this matter on appeal.)<\/p>\n Proton\u2019s case takes a different angle. It cites the Epic case, saying that the evidence proved that Apple makes such a large profit on App Store fees that it questions whether the fees are really necessary to support the maintenance of the App Store, as Apple claims.<\/p>\n Proton, similarly, takes issue with Apple\u2019s policies around payments. It points out how Apple barred developers from talking directly to their customers in the app, where they could inform them of discounts on the web. In addition, apps that don\u2019t support Apple\u2019s payment system are at risk of being removed from the App Store, the suit states. <\/p>\n The arguments around payments delve into other nuances about how the system works, like how it\u2019s harder to manage payments and subscriptions across devices because of Apple\u2019s rules. For instance, the company explained in a blog post<\/a> that customers who upgraded their accounts on the web can\u2019t downgrade from their iOS device, which is a poor customer experience.<\/p>\n