The UK competition watchdog, Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), just concluded an investigation involving Google and Apple mobile browsers. They claim that these mobile duopoly policies are restricting innovation and might even limit economic growth.
Mobile browsers are apps that help people go online using their phones and allow businesses to share content and products. The report warns that users might not get the latest browser features, and businesses struggle to connect with them.
Many concerns focus on Apple's rules that control how web browsing works on its devices. Apple requires other iOS browsers to use its WebKit engine, preventing them from adding unique features to compete with Safari. Safari also gets earlier access to important tools, making it harder for rivals to keep up, especially with privacy and web app development. Restrictions on in-browser use limit how rival browsers handle links, and certain design choices further reduce competition.
As far as Google is concerned, the investigation showed a lot of concerns linked to revenue sharing between Apple and Mountain View tech giant. In this deal, Google pays the iPhone maker a huge amount of the advertising revenue linked to search that comes through traffic via Chrome and Safari for iOS.
Apple and Google make a lot of money when people use their competitor’s browser on iOS to search on Google. Because they share this money, they have little reason to compete and improve their browsers.
Despite all of the findings that they shared, there are no kinds of actions for enforcement of competition. This is why the investigation warrants waiting for a special type of abuse control power to come into play to keep the situation at bay.
Image: DIW-Aigen
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Mobile browsers are apps that help people go online using their phones and allow businesses to share content and products. The report warns that users might not get the latest browser features, and businesses struggle to connect with them.
Many concerns focus on Apple's rules that control how web browsing works on its devices. Apple requires other iOS browsers to use its WebKit engine, preventing them from adding unique features to compete with Safari. Safari also gets earlier access to important tools, making it harder for rivals to keep up, especially with privacy and web app development. Restrictions on in-browser use limit how rival browsers handle links, and certain design choices further reduce competition.
As far as Google is concerned, the investigation showed a lot of concerns linked to revenue sharing between Apple and Mountain View tech giant. In this deal, Google pays the iPhone maker a huge amount of the advertising revenue linked to search that comes through traffic via Chrome and Safari for iOS.
Apple and Google make a lot of money when people use their competitor’s browser on iOS to search on Google. Because they share this money, they have little reason to compete and improve their browsers.
Despite all of the findings that they shared, there are no kinds of actions for enforcement of competition. This is why the investigation warrants waiting for a special type of abuse control power to come into play to keep the situation at bay.
A previous inquiry also examined cloud gaming, but it was dropped after Apple made changes that addressed competition concerns. Apple and Google also tweaked how users set default browsers, resolving some issues, though concerns remain about design choices that may discourage switching from Safari and Chrome.
The report suggests possible fixes, like allowing different browser engines on iOS, ensuring fair access to iOS features, and banning Google’s revenue-sharing model. It also proposes regulating how Google presents browser choice screens to users.
None of these fixes are being enforced yet, but they might guide future actions if Apple and Google are officially labeled as having too much market power. The final decision on this status is expected later this year.
Apple responded by saying it values competition but believes the proposed changes would hurt user privacy and security. Google emphasized Android’s openness and its commitment to fair regulations that support innovation.
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