Tim Hardwick
Apple's restrictions on mobile browsers are stifling innovation and holding back new features that could benefit iPhone users, according to preliminary findings published today by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
In its report, the CMA's independent investigation team found that Apple's policies on its Safari browser prevent rival browsers from implementing certain features, such as technologies to load web pages faster. The investigation also found that many UK app developers would prefer to offer progressive web apps as an alternative to distribution through the App Store, but Apple's current restrictions on iOS make this impractical.
Adding to competition concerns, the regulator highlighted the revenue-sharing agreement between Apple and Google, which “significantly reduces their financial incentives to compete” in the mobile browser space on iOS. The CMA also found that both companies were able to manipulate how users were presented with browser choice by making their own offerings the clearest or easiest options.
“Our investigation has previously established that competition between different mobile browsers is not working well and that this is holding back innovation in the UK,” said Margot Daly, chair of the CMA's independent investigation team.
The investigation initially covered both mobile browsers and cloud gaming issues, but the CMA decided not to take action on cloud gaming, noting that Apple had already addressed the underlying issue by allowing cloud gaming apps on the App Store.
In its summary of the preliminary decision, the regulator recommends that the findings be addressed through the UK’s forthcoming Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act, which comes into force in January 2025. The Act would give the CMA new powers to designate firms as having “strategic market status” and impose appropriate measures to promote competition.
The CMA is accepting public comments on its preliminary findings until December 13, with a final decision expected in March 2025. Similar investigations into mobile browser competition are currently underway by the European Commission and the US Department of Justice.
Update: Apple provided the following statement to MacRumors:
“Apple believes in thriving, dynamic markets where innovation can thrive. We face competition in every segment and jurisdiction where we operate, and we are always focused on the trust of our users. We disagree with the findings in the report regarding Safari, WebKit, and in-app browsing on iOS. We are concerned that the interventions discussed in the report for future review under the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumer Act will undermine user privacy and security and prevent us from building the kind of technology that distinguishes Apple. We will continue to engage constructively with the CMA as their work on this matter progresses.”
Apple argues that it promotes healthy competition by offering a variety of third-party WebKit-based browsers in the App Store that compete with Safari, and that iOS includes settings that allow users to easily switch their default browser.
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Tags: Apple Antitrust, United Kingdom[ 101 comments ]
