The British report finds that Apple and Google “retain” mobile navigators
The UK mobile navigators market “does not work well for consumers and businesses” according to a final report by the British competition dog, which says that Apple and Google are largely to blame.
An independent investigation group has concluded his investigation into mobile browsers For competition and authority markets (CMA), identifying Apple policies around iOS, safari and webkit as allowing suppliers of third -party web browser to compete and restrict the market accordingly. Google’s Android mobile ecosystem is also an accomplice in the competition from the Enter, according to the CMA report, although to a lesser extent.
THE Problems reported by the survey Include Apple demanding that all iOS browsers operate on its webkit browser engine, giving preferential safari access to features compared to webkit -based competitions, limitations set on navigation integrated into the application and having a preinstalled and displayed safari as a default browser on iPhones. While users can change the IPhone default web browsing applicationInvestigators claim that the designation of Safari as a preinstalled defect in iPhones reduces the awareness of users of alternative applications.
Investigators found similar concerns about preinstalled chrome as a default web browser on the vast majority of Android devices. However, the report notes that Apple and Google have taken measures to allow users to more easily switch to alternative navigators, because the survey announced its provisional conclusions in November, which “addressed some, but not all, concerns related to architecture of choice”.
Apple and Google have not yet responded to our request for comments on the CMA report.
THE ACM has proposed potential remedies Available to improve competition on the UNIBUM Kingdom’s mobile browser market, in particular Apple forcing to allow developers to use alternative browser engines on iOS, forcing Apple and Google to offer a browser choice screen when configuring the device and prohibiting chrome income sharing agreements between the two companies. These suggestions are currently inapplicable, however, which could change in the coming months.
SMS companies can be imposed with “driving requirements” intended to combat anti -competitive behavior and risk fines of up to 10% of their annual turnover for violation of DMCC rules. If Apple or Google are appointed with SMS, the survey on the mobile browser encourages the CMA to “consider imposing appropriate interventions”, similar to the suggestions it has described. SMS surveys on Google and Apple are currently underway and are expected to end later this year.
“Following our in-depth investigation, we have concluded that competition between different mobile navigators does not work well, which retains innovation in the United Kingdom,” said Margot Daly, president of the ACM independent investigation group. “I am delighted with the rapid action of the CMA to open strategic market status surveys on Apple and Google mobile ecosystems. The in -depth analysis that we have established today will help this work as it progresses. »»
