Apple may be forced to allow rival app stores in UK

Apple may be forced to allow rivals to operate their own app stores on iPhones in the UK following a decision by the competition regulator.

This would be a significant change to Apple’s famous “closed system” where apps could only be downloaded from its App Store.

But the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated both Apple and Google as having “strategic market status”, effectively stating that they have too much power over mobile platforms.

Apple said it risked harming consumers through “poor privacy” and “delaying access to new features”, while Google called the decision “disappointing, disproportionate and unwarranted”.

The CMA said the two companies “may be limiting innovation and competition”.

But the regulator said it “did not detect or assume any wrongdoing” at the firms.

“The app economy accounts for 1.5% of the UK’s GDP and supports around 400,000 jobs, which is why it’s so important that these markets work well for business,” said Will Hayter, CMA’s managing director of digital markets.

“Approximately 90-100% of mobile devices in the UK run on Apple or Google’s mobile platforms,” the CMA said. it has been said beforeThis means the firms “have an effective duopoly,” he added.

Accordingly Analysis from Uswitch48.5% of mobile device owners in the UK use an iPhone running Apple’s iOS operating system (OS), with the vast majority of the remainder using Google’s Android operating system.

This follows a separate decision by the CMA in October. Google’s designated search section Having strategic market status

The CMA’s investigation focused on how Apple and Google’s own apps stood out compared to their rivals’ browsers and operating systems.

It is not known what changes the regulator will call for, but in July it published roadmaps outlining potential measures it could take.

These include making it easier for people to switch between Apple and Android devices and that both companies rank apps in their app stores “in a fair, objective and transparent manner.”

Apple may need to specifically allow alternative app stores on its devices and let people download programs directly from companies’ websites.

This will follow a similar decision The European Union (EU) fined Apple in April, accusing it of anti-competitive behavior.

Apple has warned that the UK could lose access to new features, as it has in the EU, and the company attributed this to heavy regulations.

For example, some Apple Intelligence features that are available in other parts of the world are not available in the EU.

“Apple faces fierce competition in every market in which we operate, and we work tirelessly to create the best products, services and user experiences,” the company said in a statement.

“The UK’s adoption of EU-style rules would undermine this, leaving users facing weaker privacy and security, delaying access to new features and leaving them with a fragmented, less seamless experience.”

Android users can currently use third-party app stores, but critics say they’re not as seamless as Google’s own Play Store.

The CMA’s roadmap said Google may need to “change the user experience” of downloading apps directly from websites and “eliminate user friction” when using alternative app stores, such as listing them directly on the Google Play Store.

“We fail to see the logic of today’s appointment decision,” said Google competition leader Oliver Bethell.

Mr Bethell said the “majority of Android users” used alternative app stores or downloaded apps directly from a developer’s website, and claimed a much wider range of apps were available to Android users compared to Apple devices.

“There are currently 24,000 Android phone models from 1,300 phone manufacturers worldwide and face intense competition from iOS in the UK,” he said.

Android is an open source operating system; This means developers can use and build on it for free.

Google argues that this means it opens up competition.

But consumer group Which? He said restrictions on the power of these companies in other countries “are already helping businesses innovate and giving consumers more choice.”

“Their dominance is now causing real harm by restricting consumers’ choices and businesses’ competition,” said Rocio Concha, head of policy and advocacy.