Short: A long investigation by the UK competition regulators has investigated the tight control of Apple and Google on mobile browsers, accusing technical giants of innovating innovation and potentially obstructing economic development. Reports suggest that consumers can resulting from valuable browser features and promotion.
The Report of the 611-Page published by the competition and the markets Authority this week does not draw any punch in criticizing Apple and Google’s restrictive mobile browsing policies. The regulator argues that these rules are making consumers “returning” to new browser facilities and making it difficult for businesses to connect with potential customers online.
Most criticisms of CMA focus on the tight control of Apple on browsing on iOS devices. The report takes a problem with the requirement of apple that all third-party browser use their webcit engine, preventing them from offering unique features. It also criticizes the major platform abilities, further of competitors, as well as iOS restrictions on progressive web apps and initial access to in-app browsing.
However, Google did not escape the investigation. The CMA expressed concern about the revenue-sharing agreement between Google and Apple, in which the former pays a large part of the ad revenue generated through safari and chrome on the east iOS back apple. According to the report, these payments are so enough that they “significantly” the encouragement of Google to compete with Apple’s Safari browser.
Despite underlining a long list of concerns, the CMA did not take any enforcement action as part of this investigation. Instead, it recommended waiting for the results of separate investigations initiated earlier this year.
For reference, CMA opened a separate investigation into the entire mobile ecosystem of Apple and Google in January. One of the objectives is to determine whether technical giants should officially be nominated as the “Strategic Market Status” under the new digital markets, competition and consumer act of the UK. If this designation is done, the regulator will gain more and more powers to take action against them.
The report also proposed potential measures, forcing Apple to allow an alternative browser engine on iOS, compulsory access to os facilities for rival browsers, and banning the controversial Google-PPLE revenue-sharing agreement. Additionally, it suggested more rigorous regulation how Google browser displays the frequency of the default browser pop-up on the Choice screen and Android.
Overall, the report provides a glimpse of how competition regulators can try to loosen the joint dominance of Apple and Google on mobile browsing. With bilateral frustration in the US, the European Union investigations and with increasing global investigation, the issues exposed are unlikely to disappear. What regulators will take, it remains to be seen.
