UK examines Apple and Google over ‘mobile ecosystem’ market power

UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). activation so-called “strategic market situation” (SMS) studies of mobile ecosystems apple and Google.

The investigations form part of the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act (DMCCA) which passed last year and entered into force in January. The Act contains provisions on the regulation of digital markets – which gives the CMA powers to designate specific companies deemed to be excessively dominant in a given market as having strategic market status and to propose tools and interventions to improve competition.

The CMA has announced the first such SMS investigation last weekGoogle has launched an investigation into Search’s huge market share of around 90%. The regulator announced at the time that there would be a second in January, and we now know that it is now using its new powers to determine whether Apple and Google have strategic market status in their respective mobile ecosystems, which include things like browsers, apps. stores and operating systems.

Today’s announcement comes as no surprise. CMA in August said it was closed Two studies on Apple and Google relevant The mobile app ecosystems it launches starting in 2021. However, the CMA announced at the time that it would be more of a hiatus and would try to use its new powers to resolve competition issues around the two biggest companies. mobile services market players.

An inquiry team was then set up by the CMA in November came to this conclusion Apple’s mobile browser policy and Google deal ‘stifling innovation’ in UK

Today’s announcement begins a three-week period during which relevant stakeholders are invited to submit comments as part of the investigations, with the results expected to be announced by October 22, 2025.