Apple and Google are facing new scrutiny in the UK over the dominance of their mobile ecosystems, including their app stores, browsers and operating systems. Britain’s regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority, announced a double investigation into the companies on Thursday, with the possibility of requiring Apple and Google to open up their ecosystems if doing so was in the best interests of mobile users.
The CMA said it would look at three potential issues: competition between and within Apple and Google, which could prevent competitors from entering the market; the possibility that companies will exploit their dominant position to favor their own applications and services; and potential “exploitative conduct,” which could force developers to accept unfair terms.
In many ways, the CMA could follow in the footsteps of the European Union’s competition regulator, which has already demanded more openness from Apple when it comes to its mobile operating systems. In Europe, the focus has been on a fairer playing field for developers and access to alternative app stores, to ensure that Apple and Android phone users have the power of choice. This has been difficult for businesses to manage, as greater openness can introduce more security risks, which Apple in particular is well known for keeping to an absolute minimum.
“More competitive mobile ecosystems could enable new innovations and opportunities across a range of services that millions of people use, whether app stores, browsers or operating systems,” he said. said Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA. “Better competition could also drive growth here in the UK, with companies able to offer new and innovative types of products and services on Apple and Google’s platforms.”
Google published a response to the survey in a blog postin which it said it welcomed the opportunity to showcase the benefits of its open source model to the CMA. “Android has expanded choice, lowered prices, and democratized access to smartphones and apps,” wrote Oliver Bethell, senior director of competition at Google. “This is the only example of a successful and viable open source mobile operating system that developers and manufacturers can use to create useful and secure applications and devices.”
Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
The CMA is using new powers to investigate digital companies after the introduction of a new law, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Actlast year. At the end of the investigation, which is expected to be completed by October, it could require companies to change the way they operate. Potential requirements could include requiring Apple and Google to open access to key phone features to other app developers, or making it easier for users to use alternative app stores and pay for app content in different ways.
