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The app store fees debate was raised to the federal level yesterday as Lina Khan, the Columbia university associate professor of law moved a step closer to becoming the new member of the five person governing board of the the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Testifying before theSenate Commerce committee yesterday, Ms Khan expressed significant concerns about the practices by both Apple and Google in their app stores. Asked about the business practices of the app stores by Senator Amy Klobuchar, Khan said, "certain terms and conditions really lack any type of of beneficial justification, and so i think in those cases we need to be especially sceptical and look closely."

There was bipartisan praise during the nominee hearings suggesting Lina Khan is well placed for confirmation and a potentially decisive seat on the FTC governing board. App store practices are currently being challenged at a state level and internationally.