{"id":1063,"date":"2025-03-13T03:33:38","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T03:33:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/apple-faces-uk-antitrust-threat-as-regulator-targets-browsers\/"},"modified":"2025-03-13T03:33:38","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T03:33:38","slug":"apple-faces-uk-antitrust-threat-as-regulator-targets-browsers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpnewswire.com\/news\/apple-faces-uk-antitrust-threat-as-regulator-targets-browsers\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple faces UK antitrust threat as regulator targets browsers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Apple faces a renewed threat in the UK, where a\u00a0new report from the top antitrust regulator<\/a> says both it and Google are holding back innovation in the\u00a0mobile browser market<\/a>. By far, most of the criticism is being leveled at Apple.<\/p>\n

The final\u00a0Competition and Markets Authority<\/a>\u00a0(CMA) inquiry report finds that\u00a0Apple wields too much power<\/a>. Not only does it determine what mobile browsers can do on its devices, which limits differentiation, but it also gives Safari greater or earlier access to key operating system functions and new WebKit features before offering them to any other browser or browser developer.<\/p>\n

This, they claim, has a \u201cnegative impact on competition and innovation,\u201d which means \u201cconsumers and businesses could be missing out on potential innovative features that mobile browsers can provide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Safari and Chrome, \u2018holding back innovation\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cFollowing our in-depth investigation, we have concluded that competition between different mobile browsers is not working well, and this is holding back innovation in the UK,\u201d said Margot Daly, chair of the CMA\u2019s independent inquiry group. \u201cThe analysis set out in our report and the range of potential interventions considered to address the market issues we have identified, merits consideration by the CMA under its new powers, which have been specifically designed for digital markets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of these arguments seem moot. <\/p>\n

For example, it seems appropriate that Apple would introduce new operating systems via its own controlled browser first, in order to maintain security while the new features are bedded in, and in that regard early access seems an acceptable thing. However, the report points out that those risks could be managed in other ways that would not involve a complete ban on other browser engines, such as by the imposition of minimum security standards on browsers that don\u2019t use WebKit.<\/p>\n

No change yet, but it\u2019s coming<\/h2>\n

The report suggests a number of changes, but a lot will rest on\u00a0another decision currently going through the CMA<\/a>. Under new powers contained in the recently-approved Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, the CMA can now declare some firms as having Strategic Market Status (SMS). A firm that receives SMS status must submit to the CMA, which can impose legally binding conduct requirements or intervene to force changes in systems.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t know whether Apple will be given SMS status \u2014 that investigation only began in January \u2014 but it seems probable, after which it can expect to be forced to engage in a range of changes in its business practices, including in mobile browsing.<\/p>\n

It is important to note that rather than demanding immediate changes, the CMA has shunted responsibility to the wider market investigation ongoing into Apple. Presumably, this means the CMA plots a series of demanded changes that go beyond those distilled in today\u2019s report. It also means that, for the moment, Apple can carry on as it is already.<\/p>\n

What will Apple need to change?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As for today\u2019s new report, some of the changes Apple might be forced to make could include being:<\/p>\n