The UK's competition watchdog launched investigations into Apple and Google's mobile ecosystems Thursday, examining whether the tech giants hold too much market power under new digital competition rules.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened parallel probes to assess if the companies have "strategic market status" through their operating systems, app stores, and mobile browsers. This status would indicate excessive control over the UK's digital marketplace.
The investigations come as virtually all mobile devices in the UK run on either Apple's iOS or Google's Android systems. With 94% of Britons over age 16 owning smartphones and spending an average of three hours daily on their devices, the probe's outcome could impact millions of users.
The CMA will specifically examine three areas: competition levels between the two ecosystems, potential misuse of market dominance in other business activities, and possible exploitative practices.
Both companies defended their positions. Apple emphasized its contribution to the UK economy, noting the iOS app marketplace supports thousands of jobs. Google highlighted Android's role in expanding smartphone access and called it "the only successful open-source mobile operating system."
The probes mark one of the first major actions under the UK's new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC). This law grants the CMA enhanced powers to regulate digital markets and prevent anti-competitive behavior.
Sarah Cardell, CMA's chief executive, suggested that increased competition could spark innovation across mobile services. She noted that changes could create new opportunities for UK businesses to develop products on these platforms.
The investigations reflect growing global scrutiny of major tech companies' market power and their impact on competition, innovation, and consumer choice in the digital age.