The UK competition watchdog is considering launching an investigation into Apple and Google’s dominance in the mobile browser market after finding that tech companies have “control” over several areas, including retail stores. applications.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) indicated that action was needed, saying that without intervention both companies would probably strengthen their control over the sector, which would further restrict rivals and deter innovators.
Andrea Coscelli, CEO of the CMA, said the dominance of the two companies was holding back the UK technology sector and restricting consumer choice.
“When it comes to how people use cell phones, Apple and Google have all the cards,” he said. “No matter how many of their services and products, their strong control over mobile ecosystems allows them to shut down competitors, slowing the UK technology sector and limiting choice.”
The CMA said it was considering launching a market research into the market power of Apple and Google in mobile browsers after a year-long study on corporate mobile ecosystems, which it released on Friday.
He said the study found that Apple and Google have an “effective duopoly” in mobile ecosystems that gives them dominance over areas such as operating systems, app stores, and web browsers on mobile devices.
The CMA said smartphones usually have Google Chrome or Apple Safari pre-installed as default browsers, with a combined market share of around 90% in the UK.
“Without interventions, both companies are likely to maintain, and even strengthen, their dominance over the industry, further restricting competition and limiting incentives for innovators,” the control body said.
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He also accused Apple of blocking the appearance of games in the cloud, where video games are streamed instead of downloaded, in its app store and said it would also consult to initiate an investigation into the matter.
In a statement, Apple said it believed in “thriving and competitive markets” and disagreed with a number of conclusions in the report accompanying CMA’s statement.
He added: “We will continue to engage constructively with the Competition and Markets Authority to explain how our approach promotes competition and choice, while ensuring that the privacy and security of consumers are always protected.”
Google said phones supported by its Android operating system and the Google Play app store offered consumers options and helped developers launch global businesses.
He added: “Android phones offer people and businesses more options than any other mobile platform. Google Play has been the platform for launching millions of apps, helping developers build global businesses that support a quarter of one million jobs in the UK alone … We will review the report and continue to work with the CMA. “