The UK government has declared that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated investigations into the competitive status of mobile ecosystems, focusing on the App Store operations of both iPhone and Android devices.
The investigation will evaluate Apple’s dominance in the market, including any potentially exploitative practices. This encompasses the various app distribution avenues available to consumers and the conditions app developers need to fulfill to feature their applications in the App Store.
To put it simply, this appears to be the UK’s version of the EU’s enforcement actions under the Digital Markets Act.
The UK’s investigations are set to explore the competitive landscape between the Apple and Google ecosystems, as well as the entry barriers faced by competing services. They will also look into whether Apple and Google are misusing their monopolistic control over mobile operating systems, particularly regarding pre-installed applications and browser options. Furthermore, the inquiry will assess the stipulations that app developers must comply with to secure a place in the App Store.
The investigations into both Apple and Google’s App Store frameworks are expected to conclude by 22nd October 2025, meaning further clarity on the findings will be available closer to the end of 2025. Possible outcomes may include fines and adjustments to business practices.
In the European Union, Apple was compelled to implement support for alternative app marketplaces, enable web app distribution, provide browser choice screens, and make several other changes. However, alongside these changes, alternative business terms and fee structures were introduced, which developers such as Epic Games and Spotify argue are still inequitable. The EU case is still active, and it’s likely that Apple will adopt similar strategies in its approach to the UK Competition and Markets Authority.
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