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Apple, Google Mobile Ecosystems Should Be Investigated, CMA Told
- The British Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) independent inquiry group has provisionally concluded that Apple and Google mobile ecosystem needs investigation.
- The CMA’s independent inquiry group has especially taken issue with Apple browser rules, with most concerns relating to Apple’s policies that determine how mobile browsers work on Apple’s devices.
- The initial investigation found that Apple and Google have an effective duopoly on mobile ecosystems, including operating systems, app stores and web browsers on mobile devices.
- The group provisionally found that Apple’s rules restrict other competitors from being able to deliver new, innovative features that could benefit consumers.
- Many smaller UK app developers also apparently told the CMA that they would like to use progressive web apps but this technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices.
- In addition, the group has provisionally found that a revenue-sharing agreement between Google and Apple significantly reduces their financial incentives to compete in mobile browsers on iOS.
- The CMA board has been recommended to prioritise investigating Apple’s and Google’s activities in mobile ecosystems under new digital markets competition rules coming into force next year.
- The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill was passed in May 2024 in the UK, and gives the CMA the ability to designate firms as having Strategic Market Status in relation to a digital activity and impose appropriate interventions.
- The CMA is inviting comments on its provisional findings by 13 December and expects to make a final decision in March 2025.
- The primary underlying concern about how cloud gaming apps are distributed through app stores has fallen away, enabling the group to provisionally conclude that there is no need for intervention in mobile cloud gaming.
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