Apple and Google investigated by UK regulator over mobile platforms

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The UK’s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into Apple and Google’s mobile platforms, days after the government forced out its chair to ease the regulatory burden on businesses.

D Competition and Market Authority said On Thursday it will examine whether makers of the iPhone and Android smartphone operating systems should face extra scrutiny over how they run their mobile platforms, in the second investigation under the new digital market regime.

This announcement came just two days after the government Deposed Marcus Boeckerink As chair of the CMA, concerns were not focused enough on regulatory growth.

The surprise move has led many to speculate that Big Tech may be treated more leniently by antitrust regulators. The government appointed Doug Gurr, who previously ran Amazon’s UK business, as interim CMA chair.

On Thursday, the CMA said it will examine how makers of the iPhone and Android smartphone operating systems compete with each other, whether they favor their own apps and services, and whether developers are treated fairly.

“More competitive mobile ecosystems can spur innovation and new opportunities across a range of services that millions of people use, whether they’re app stores, browsers or operating systems,” said CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell.

“Improved competition can drive growth here in the UK, with businesses able to offer new and innovative types of products and services on Apple and Google’s platforms,” ​​he added.

As part of the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, which came into effect this month, the CMA can designate a small group of companies as having “strategic market status”, which imposes similar treatment requirements to the EU’s Digital Markets Act.

Last week, the CMA opened its first such case, rReviewing Google’s dominance in search and advertising.

The CMA is already in the process of investigating Google and Apple in a separate investigation into mobile web browsers and cloud gaming, which the two companies temporarily “stifled competition” in browsers.

“The openness of Android has helped expand choice, lower prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps It is the only example of a successful and effective open source mobile operating system. said Oliver Bethel, GoogleSenior Director of Competitions.

He added, “We want to move forward on a path that does not hold back choice and opportunity for UK consumers and businesses alike, and without risking the UK’s growth potential.

appleWhich says its app platform supports hundreds of thousands of UK jobs, said it would “engage constructively” with the CMA.

“Apple believes in rich and dynamic markets where innovation can flourish,” the company said. “We face competition in every segment and jurisdiction where we operate, and our focus has always been the trust of our users.”

The CMA’s investigation will add to the global scrutiny that both companies are already facing over their dominance of the smartphone market.

Apple has clashed several times with Brussels over the implementation of the Digital Markets Act last year, with changes to its platform after the European Commission accused the iPhone maker of failing to comply with its “online gatekeeper” rules.

If designated, UK SMS status lasts for five years and companies can be fined up to 10 per cent of global turnover for breaching the code of conduct.

The CMA said it would accept comments before February 12 and complete the investigation by October 22.