UK’s CMA closes probes into Apple and Google app stores

In 2022, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published a market study of mobile ecosystems in the UK, which found Apple and Google held an effective monopoly over the distribution of apps in Britain

UK’s competition watchdog (the Competition and Markets Authority) has closed its current investigations into Apple and Google’s respective app stores, awaiting new laws governing digital markets.

The tech companies have faced scrutiny around the world over the dominance of their respective App Store and Google Play store platforms, which critics say impose unfair charges on app developers and limit competition.

In 2022, the Competition and Markets Authority published a market study of mobile ecosystems in the UK, which found Apple and Google held an effective monopoly over the distribution of apps in Britain.

The body subsequently launched parallel investigations into both firms for alleged anticompetitive behaviour.

But in a statement published on Wednesday, the Competition and Markets Authority said it had dropped both probes, pending the roll-out of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA), which is expected to come into effect later in 2024.

Once the new pro-competition digital markets regime comes into force, we’ll be able to consider applying those new powers to concerns we have already identified through our existing work, according to Will Hayter, Executive Director for Digital Markets at the Competition and Markets Authority.

A Google spokesperson said its Android operating system had always allowed flexibility and choice not found on other platforms, including multiple app stores.

We have engaged with the CMA over the course of many months during their investigation. As part of this, we made a number of significant commitments to further widen the billing options available to developers through Google Play, they said.