After determining in 2021 that Apple and Google control a duopoly in the mobile web browser market, UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found that both companies harm innovation by restricting competitors on their platforms. If a separate investigation determines that Apple and Google have strategic market status (SMS) under the new digital markets competition regime–and it will–then the CMA will recommend antitrust intervention.
And you thought the EU moved slowly.
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“We have identified a number of features in the markets for mobile browsers, browser engines, and in-app browsing technology which restrict competition,” the CMA’s final decision report on mobile browsers and cloud gaming reads. “Most of these features relate to the policies implemented by Apple in the relevant markets. In particular, we have found that various policies implemented by Apple are holding back innovation in the development of browsers on iOS.”
The CMA previously issued a preliminary report on its findings. Since then, Apple and Google have made just one change each that collectively addressed two of the agency’s concerns. But all its remaining concerns–and there are many–remain.
“First, Apple released a software update in December 2024 (iOS 18.2) which appears to make it easier for users to switch their default browser,” the CMA explains in a summary of its final decision. Second, Google provided us with further evidence relating to the limits it has set on its use of prompts to encourage users to set Chrome as their default browser. These two developments have addressed some, but not all, of the concerns relating to choice architecture that we had identified in our provisional decision report.”
It’s remaining concerns are obvious enough. Apple artificially forces third party developers to use Apple’s Safari web rendering engine, restricting their ability to innovate despite evidence that other mobile browsers would offer better performance, stronger security, and greater privacy. Apple brings new features to Safari before allowing third party browser makers to access those features, and some Safari features–like extension and ad-blocker support–is never provided to third parties. A revenue-sharing agreement between Apple and Google reduces incentives to compete in the mobile web browsing market. Apple’s in-app browser rules limit the user experience, competition and traffic to alternative browsers. And so on. You know the drill.
The CMA investigation also examined cloud gaming (game streaming).
“While a 2022 CMA market study which led to this market investigation had identified concerns that Apple’s rules were blocking the development of cloud gaming apps on iOS devices, Apple has since made significant rule changes, which look to have positive implications for competition in this market,” the agency explains. “Therefore, we have not found concerns in this area.”
The CMA investigation into strategic market status (SMS) is expected to conclude this year. If and when Apple and Google are found to have this status in mobile web browsers, it will move forward into a remedy phase.
“We will continue to engage constructively with the CMA to best address their concerns,” an Apple statement notes.
