The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that Apple and Google’s dominance in the mobile browser market is stifling innovation and limiting competition.
In a report published on March 12, the CMA stated that the restrictions imposed by both companies are undermining technological advancement and consumer choice in the UK.
Apple and Google’s Mobile Browser Control Under Fire
The CMA’s investigation has identified key practices that contribute to the duopoly’s stronghold.
Apple’s requirement that all iOS browsers use its proprietary WebKit engine was flagged as a major constraint on innovation. This policy restricts third-party developers from offering browser features that could differentiate their products, limiting competition and ultimately affecting consumers.
The CMA also criticized Google’s dominance through the pre-installation of Chrome on Android devices, a practice that reinforces Google’s search and advertising ecosystem dominance.
Margot Daly, Chair of the CMA’s independent inquiry group, stated, “Following our in-depth investigation, we have concluded that competition between different mobile browsers is not working well, and this is holding back innovation in the UK.”
The CMA’s findings suggest that these restrictions have made it difficult for alternative browsers to gain traction, reducing incentives for both Apple and Google to enhance their platforms and services.
The CMA has proposed several potential remedies. These include requiring Apple to allow alternative browser engines on iOS and restricting Google’s ability to establish default browser agreements.
Such measures would aim to encourage competition, increase consumer choice, and foster technological progress in the UK’s digital market.
The investigation also forms part of the CMA’s broader assessment into whether Apple and Google hold strategic market status in key digital sectors, such as mobile operating systems and app stores.
If this status is confirmed, the companies could face stricter regulatory requirements designed to promote fair competition.
Technical Constraints and Impact on Innovation
One of the key concerns highlighted by the CMA is Apple’s strict enforcement of its WebKit engine policy. Under current rules, all third-party browsers on iOS must use WebKit, Apple’s proprietary browser engine.
Critics argue that this restriction hampers competition by limiting developers’ ability to introduce advanced features that differ from Safari. As a result, browser innovation is stifled, and consumers have fewer choices.
The CMA also pointed to the limitations this policy imposes on progressive web apps (PWAs), which are designed to provide app-like experiences through web browsers. PWAs offer benefits like offline access and push notifications but are constrained by WebKit’s limitations on iOS.
The CMA’s report suggests that opening iOS to alternative browser engines could unlock broader possibilities for developers and enhance consumer experiences.
Broader Implications for Digital Market Regulation
The CMA’s investigation reflects a growing regulatory shift toward ensuring fairness in digital markets. Its conclusions have strengthened the argument for imposing stricter controls on dominant tech companies, especially those that hold sway over key digital infrastructures.
Should the CMA proceed with its proposed measures, it could reshape the mobile browsing experience in the UK and serve as a precedent for similar regulatory moves globally.
In the United States, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed that Google divest its Chrome browser to address antitrust concerns, arguing that Google’s control over Chrome strengthens its dominance in the search engine market.
This proposal follows Google’s legal defeat in August 2024, where the company was found guilty of monopolistic practices related to search and advertising dominance.
Though these international regulatory actions differ in scope, they reflect a common concern about how dominant tech companies use their market positions to restrict competition.
These global efforts are a response to longstanding concerns that dominant platforms are using their influence to maintain control over markets, making it harder for new entrants to compete.
If implemented, the CMA’s recommendations could set a significant benchmark for how other countries address monopolistic behavior in the tech sector.
What’s Next for Apple and Google?
Apple and Google have indicated that they will engage with the CMA’s ongoing assessment process. Apple has defended its approach by emphasizing privacy and security benefits associated with its current system, while Google maintains that its services promote open platforms and competition.
Both companies could face significant changes if the CMA proceeds with regulatory interventions.
The CMA is expected to continue its assessment in 2025, with its findings potentially informing stricter regulations under new UK digital competition rules set to take effect next year. Should these rules be applied, they could result in more open ecosystems, with consumers benefitting from broader choices and increased innovation.
