AdMob founder lays into Apple

Omar Hamoui believes Apple is not acting in the best interests of users or developers

The founder and chief executive of mobile advertising firm AdMob has criticised Apple's new restrictions on mobile advertising.

Omar Hamoui said in a blog post that the regulations could cut off revenue streams for thousands of developers who rely on advertising networks now banned from the Apple iAds platform.

The rule, which was introduced on Monday, bars applications from displaying ads served by an advertising network which is affiliated with a competing mobile developer or is not primarily in the advertising business.

AdMob, which was formally acquired by Google last month, finds itself in violation of that rule. Hamoui claimed that a banning of AdMob could severely affect iPhone OS application developers who rely on the service.

"Let's be clear. This change is not in the best interests of users or developers. In the history of technology and innovation, it's clear that competition delivers the best outcome," he said.

"Artificial barriers to competition hurt users and developers and, in the long run, stall technological progress."

Hamoui said that AdMob will be in contact with Apple to express its concerns.