The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that the mobile browser market is “not working well for consumers and businesses,” placing the blame on Apple and Google. An independent panel found that Apple’s iOS policies and Safari’s reliance on WebKit limit competition, making it harder for third-party browsers to succeed. Google’s Android ecosystem also presents barriers, though to a lesser extent.
Apple mandates that all iOS browsers use its WebKit engine, while Safari enjoys preferential access to features and default status, reducing user awareness of alternatives. A similar issue exists with Google Chrome, which comes pre-installed on most Android devices. However, following the CMA’s preliminary findings last November, both companies introduced some changes to make switching browsers easier. The investigation also highlighted how Google’s payments to Apple for default search engine status weaken incentives for competition.
Proposed Legal Remedies and Future Steps
To improve competition, the CMA has proposed several legal remedies. Apple may be required to allow third-party browsers to use alternative engines on iOS, while both Apple and Google might need to present a browser choice screen during device setup. Additionally, they could be ordered to end agreements related to revenue-sharing from search advertising. As of now, these proposals are not legally binding, but this could change in the coming months, notes NIXSOLUTIONS.
In January, the CMA also launched investigations into whether Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystems should be designated with strategic market status (SMS) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act (DMCC). This legislation, similar to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), grants UK regulators the power to impose stricter antitrust measures on dominant companies. If Apple and Google are found to have significant market power, they could be required to take specific actions to prevent anti-competitive practices. Violations of the DMCC could lead to fines of up to 10% of a company’s annual revenue.
Next Steps in the Investigation
Margot Daly, chair of the CMA’s independent review panel, emphasized the impact of these findings: “Following our in-depth investigation, we have concluded that competition between different mobile browsers is not working well and is holding back innovation in the UK. I welcome the CMA’s swift action to launch strategic investigations into the market status of Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystems. The extensive analysis we have set out today will help that work as it progresses.”
The situation remains dynamic, and we’ll keep you updated as further developments unfold.