Britain’s antitrust regulator mentioned its inquiry group had discovered the cellular browser market, dominated by Apple and Google, was not working properly for shoppers and companies, supporting its determination to launch an investigation into the sector in January.
A ultimate report by the Competitors and Markets Authority (CMA) unbiased inquiry group mentioned most of its issues associated to Apple’s insurance policies about accessing the web on its gadgets utilizing its Safari browser.
Following provisional findings revealed in November, the CMA opened an investigation below its new powers in January.
It should resolve if both or each firms have “strategic market standing” in cellular ecosystems, a wider remit than the browser market checked out by the inquiry group.
The group mentioned if the businesses had been designated with SMS standing, the CMA ought to think about interventions corresponding to enhancing the flexibility of rivals to compete by providing new options.
Apple mentioned it believed in “thriving and dynamic markets the place innovation can flourish”, and its focus was at all times the belief of its customers.
“We have now issues with this report and imagine the cures it discusses would undermine privateness, safety, and the general person expertise,” a spokesperson mentioned.
“We are going to proceed to have interaction constructively with the CMA to greatest tackle their issues.”
Google mentioned Android’s openness had helped to “broaden selection, scale back costs and democratise entry to smartphones and apps”.
“We stay dedicated to open platforms that assist builders construct profitable companies, and can work constructively with the CMA to ship a pro-innovation, evidence-based and predictable regulatory regime that permits UK development,” a spokesperson mentioned.
Apple’s Safari and Google’s Chrome browsers dominate the market, the report mentioned, with Safari accounting for 88% of browsers on Apple gadgets and Chrome accounting for 77 % on gadgets operating Google’s Android working system in 2024.
Margot Daly, chair of the unbiased inquiry group, mentioned competitors between completely different cellular browsers was not working properly and it was holding again innovation.
“I welcome the CMA’s immediate motion to open strategic market standing investigations into each Apple and Google’s cellular ecosystems,” she mentioned.
“The in depth evaluation we have set out in the present day will assist that work because it progresses.”
The CMA mentioned its SMS investigations had been anticipated to conclude later this yr.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
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