Competition and Marketing Authority (CMA) in the UK Decide The country’s mobile browser market is “not good for consumers and businesses” and “blocks innovation.” Most watchdogs are targeting Apple’s policies, such as requiring mobile browsers to use their engine, Webkit, thus limiting competitors’ ability to distinguish from Apple. The report also notes that safari has received key features that access to WebKit and operating systems earlier or greater than competitors. Final report ends investigation Beginned about four years ago.
CMA has released Preliminary report In November, but two issues have been removed since then, thanks to updates from Apple and Google. In December, Apple’s software update changed the way people exchange default browsers, while Google revolved around new evidence of its prompts to encourage Android users to use Chrome as their default browser.
Concerns that limit innovation and growth remain. However, the independent investigation team responsible for the final report made recommendations from another ongoing investigation. In January, CMA began investigating whether Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystem, including its mobile browser, should be Strategic market conditions (SMS). The name will give the CMA greater regulation over Apple and Google and issue pro-competition directives.
If Apple and Google do receive the SMS name, the query team recommends that the CMA take “the ability to compete with other browsers by providing consumers with new innovative features and enable users to actively choose their preferred mobile browsers, which can drive competition.” The CMA may not be able to decide on the SMS status of Apple and Google until the fall. It is unclear what action the watchdog might do to alleviate the report’s concerns.
