18.03.2025 16:56:00
Дата публикации
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its final report on the mobile browser market investigation. The document claims that Apple and Google are hindering competition by keeping users locked into their ecosystems.
The main concerns revolve around Apple's policies regarding iOS, the Safari browser, and the WebKit engine. The company requires all browsers on iPhones to run on WebKit, which limits competition and restricts the market. Safari also enjoys advantages over third-party browsers, reinforcing its dominant position.
Additional restrictions relate to the in-app browser and Safari being set as the default browser. While users can change their browser, CMA notes that the pre-installed Safari discourages them from seeking alternatives.
Google was also criticized for Chrome's dominant position in the Android ecosystem. Like Safari on iOS, Chrome comes pre-installed on most Android devices, reducing user awareness of other options.
CMA acknowledged that Apple and Google made some changes after the publication of preliminary findings in November. The companies simplified the process of switching browsers, but this did not resolve all concerns.
The regulator also highlighted agreements between Apple and Google, under which Google pays Apple a significant share of search revenue to remain the default search engine. According to CMA, this reduces incentives for competition.
Apple disagreed with the report's conclusions, stating that it competes in every area of its business and acts in users' best interests. The company believes that CMA’s proposed measures could undermine iOS privacy and security.
Google has not yet commented on the report. CMA has suggested several measures to improve competition, including allowing alternative browser engines on iOS and banning financial agreements between Apple and Google.
However, these proposed measures are not yet legally binding. CMA has not ruled out the possibility that the situation may change in the coming months if the regulator secures legislative backing for its initiatives.
(Translation generated automatically)
The main concerns revolve around Apple's policies regarding iOS, the Safari browser, and the WebKit engine. The company requires all browsers on iPhones to run on WebKit, which limits competition and restricts the market. Safari also enjoys advantages over third-party browsers, reinforcing its dominant position.
Additional restrictions relate to the in-app browser and Safari being set as the default browser. While users can change their browser, CMA notes that the pre-installed Safari discourages them from seeking alternatives.
Google was also criticized for Chrome's dominant position in the Android ecosystem. Like Safari on iOS, Chrome comes pre-installed on most Android devices, reducing user awareness of other options.
CMA acknowledged that Apple and Google made some changes after the publication of preliminary findings in November. The companies simplified the process of switching browsers, but this did not resolve all concerns.
The regulator also highlighted agreements between Apple and Google, under which Google pays Apple a significant share of search revenue to remain the default search engine. According to CMA, this reduces incentives for competition.
Apple disagreed with the report's conclusions, stating that it competes in every area of its business and acts in users' best interests. The company believes that CMA’s proposed measures could undermine iOS privacy and security.
Google has not yet commented on the report. CMA has suggested several measures to improve competition, including allowing alternative browser engines on iOS and banning financial agreements between Apple and Google.
However, these proposed measures are not yet legally binding. CMA has not ruled out the possibility that the situation may change in the coming months if the regulator secures legislative backing for its initiatives.
(Translation generated automatically)
