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Apple and Google are the two big players in mobile software.
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For many years, Google and Apple have been the two biggest and dominant names in mobile ecosystems globally, but now the UK’s competition regulator is wondering if this duopoly gives phone users the best deal.
On Tuesday, the Competition and Markets Authority, the country’s antitrust authority, announced it was “taking a closer look” at iOS and Android. This isn’t like a full investigation, it’s just a precursor where the CMA will consider whether there is enough evidence that the two companies could stifle competition to justify opening a formal investigation.
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“Apple and Google control the major gateways through which people download apps or browse the web on their mobile devices, whether they want to shop, play games, stream music or watch TV,” said CMA’s chief executive. Andrea Coscelli in a note. “We are looking into whether this could create problems for consumers and businesses who want to reach people through their phones.”
The CMA is specifically looking for evidence that Apple and Google’s dominance in the market is stifling competition or could lead people to pay higher prices for devices, apps and other services.
Apple and Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This closer scrutiny is the result of a post-Brexit push by the UK to investigate the tech giants’ actions through its newly established digital markets unit. He previously relied on the EU Competition Commission to play this role, however he is still working with the European regulator as the two agencies conduct simultaneous investigations into potential Facebook ad abuse. The CMA is also investigating Apple separately on the terms of the App Store developers.
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