UK Regulator Challenges Apple and Google’s Dominance in Mobile Market
So, there’s big news coming out of the UK right now — and if you use a smartphone, this definitely concerns you. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, or CMA, has just declared that Apple and Google hold what it calls an “effective duopoly” over the mobile ecosystem. That means, between the two companies, they basically dominate nearly every mobile device in the UK — whether it's through the iOS or Android operating systems, the App Store or Google Play, or the Safari and Chrome browsers. We’re talking about 90–100% of all UK mobile devices here.
The CMA is now proposing changes that could require both Apple and Google to operate more fairly and give competitors and consumers more choice. If this goes through, these tech giants might be forced to change how their app stores and operating systems work. This includes things like the way their own apps are featured compared to third-party alternatives, and even how much control developers have when trying to reach users or sell services.
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Of course, neither Apple nor Google is taking this lightly. Apple says the proposed rules could harm privacy and security — which, to be fair, are core selling points of their ecosystem. They also worry it could make them give away proprietary technology to competitors, which they say would hurt innovation. Google, on the other hand, calls the proposals “disappointing and unwarranted,” arguing that Android and Chrome are open source and already promote competition.
Both companies now have a month to respond to the CMA before a final decision is expected in October.
And this isn't happening in isolation — regulators around the world are also tightening the screws on Big Tech. The EU recently fined Apple over €500 million, and the US is investigating similar issues related to competition and payment systems.
Consumer advocacy groups, like Which?, are applauding the CMA’s move, saying Apple and Google’s dominance is starting to hurt both consumers and businesses. They say that while these companies have pushed innovation for years, their current grip on the market is stifling new players and limiting user choice.
The bottom line? This could be the beginning of a major shift in how app ecosystems are regulated, especially in the UK. It’s about opening the door for more competition, more developer freedom, and ultimately, better options for users. We'll see how Apple and Google respond, but one thing’s for sure — the tech world is watching this closely.
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