Apple is under renewed antitrust scrutiny in the UK, as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a report alleging that both Apple and Google are stifling innovation in the mobile browser market. The CMA’s investigation primarily targets Apple, accusing the tech giant of wielding excessive power in the mobile browser space, which the regulator says negatively impacts competition and innovation.
The final inquiry report from the CMA asserts that Apple has created an unfair advantage for its own Safari browser by controlling key features on its devices. This includes giving Safari early or exclusive access to important operating system functions and new WebKit features, which the report claims limits differentiation and innovation among competing browsers.
According to the CMA, Apple’s control over these features means that consumers and businesses may be missing out on innovative browser functionalities. Margot Daly, chair of the CMA’s independent inquiry group, explained that competition between mobile browsers is not functioning as it should, and this is slowing the pace of innovation in the UK.
The report acknowledges that Apple’s practice of introducing new operating system features via Safari first could be justifiable from a security standpoint, as it allows the company to ensure the stability and security of new functions. However, the CMA believes there are ways to manage these risks without giving Safari such an advantage, suggesting that Apple could implement minimum security standards for non-WebKit browsers instead of maintaining a complete browser engine monopoly.
While no immediate action is planned by the CMA, the regulator has stated that the issues identified in the report warrant further consideration under its new powers for regulating digital markets.
Stay tuned to DC Brief for further updates on this story and other technology developments.
