UK watchdog to probe Google, Apple over mobile ecosystems
By Abigail Townsend
Date: Thursday 23 Jan 2025
(Sharecast News) - The UK competition watchdog has launched an investigation into Google and Apple's dominance across smartphone ecosystems, it confirmed on Thursday.
The Competition and Markets Authority said around 56m people aged 16 and over have access to a smartphone in the UK - around 94% of the population.
Nearly all of those devices will have come with either Apple's operating system iOS or Google's Android pre-installed. Both brands also have their own app stores and browsers with either leading or exclusive positions.
"This means Apple and Google are able to exert considerable influence over much of the content, services and technological development provided on a mobile device," the CMA noted.
The regulator has therefore decided to investigate competition between and within Apple and Google's mobile ecosystems, possible leveraging of their market power in other activities, and potential exploitative conduct.
Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: "The operating systems, apps and browsers installed on our phones and tablet devices act as our gateway into the digital world.
"More competitive mobile ecosystems could foster new innovations and new opportunities across a range of services that millions of people use, be they app stores, browsers or operating systems."
The announcement came just days after CMA chair Marcus Bokkerink left the business, reportedly after the Department for Business and Trade intervened. The government was allegedly concerned that the regulator was not sufficiently focused on growth.
Bokkerink - who started his five-year term in 2022 - has been replaced on an interim basis by Doug Gurr, the former head of Amazon's UK business and current director of London's Natural History Museum.
The CMA said it would it take a "proportionate and transparent" approach to the Apple-Google probe, working with a range of stakeholders as well as the companies themselves. It will accept comments until 12 February, before producing its final report by the end of October 2025.
Google, which is owned by Alphabet, said: "Android's openness has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratise access to smartphones and apps. It is the only example of a successful and viable open source mobile operating system."
Apple said it would "continue to engage constructively" with the CMA, adding: "Apple believes in thriving and dynamic markets where innovation can flourish."
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