The UK’s Competition and Market Authority found that Apple limited competition in the country by limiting the use of competitive browsers on its iOS devices and to effectively require developers to use its webkit browser engine. This, and a number of other problems, is to “hold back innovation and limit growth in the UK.”

Apple and Google own the two most popular Mobile operating systems In the world, iOS and Android, which means they can easily push their own browsers, safari and Chrome. If Google and Apple do not take active steps to enable users to discover third-party browsers, they will never have a real competition, so it will not be encouraged to innovate and offer the best products. It can also prevent third-party browsers from offering comparable or better service.

How Apple’s restrictions affect the competition

Currently, all iOS browsers must use webkit, which, according to the CMA’s independent research group, limits the distinction and inherently prevents it from fiting Safari’s functionality and access. The group also found that Apple limits the amount of traffic and adjustment options available for browsing third-party programs. In addition, Apple receives significant payments from Google to maintain Google Search as the standard search engine on Safari, an agreement that reduces both companies incentives to compete in the browser market.

On March 12, the CMA published its final report on the investigation into mobile browsers and cloud game markets in the UK. This confirmed all the concerns that highlighted it in November when he published his preliminary findings, in which he said that the primary concern remains on the browser restrictions, while noticing fewer problems in the cloud game market.

See: Regulator CMA to investigate Microsoft and other Cloud Service Providers in the UK

Regulatory efforts to promote fair competition

Since the preliminary report, Apple iOS has released 18.2, making it easier to link the standard Safari browser, and Google has shown how it limits the directions that encourage users to set Chrome as standard. Nevertheless, it still has concerns about safari and Chrome that are pre-installed on Apple and Android devices, which limit the choice of users.

The investigation opened in 2021 when the CMA ruled that Apple and Google have an ‘effective duopoly on mobile ecosystems, including operating systems, app stores and web browsers on mobile devices.’ After the preliminary report was published, Apple was concerned that the recommended changes “would undermine the user’s privacy and security.” Nevertheless, Apple has announced plans to allow other browser cars other than iOS and iPados in the EU as a result of the Digital Markets Act ActAlthough the complete implementation has yet to be seen.

In January, Google and Apple were announced as the first companies investigated for potential strategic market status under the new Digital Markets Act, Competition and Consumers of the UK markets. If Google or Apple receives the designation, the requirements for the behavior of the enterprise can be drawn up to follow, which prevent the competitive practices in areas such as mobile ecosystems. The report recommends that any interventions specifically ensure that third-party browsers can freely innovate and enable users to choose their standard browser.