LONDON, Feb 10 - Britain’s antitrust watchdog announced on Tuesday that Apple and Google have provided commitments intended to increase fairness and transparency in their mobile app stores for thousands of developers.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) applied the label of "strategic market status" to both companies in October, a designation that grants the regulator the authority to require particular changes aimed at fostering greater competition. The CMA noted that nearly all smartphones in Britain use either Apple iOS or Google Android, and that the firms' app stores and browsers occupy exclusive or dominant positions on their respective platforms.
Under the set of commitments made to the CMA, Apple and Google will implement procedures to ensure that apps are assessed in a fair, objective and transparent manner, the regulator said. In addition, developers will be able to request access to a broader range of Apple features in iOS to build competing products - with the CMA specifically citing examples such as digital wallets and live translation.
The regulator has previously warned that the market position of the two firms gives them substantial influence over content, services and the direction of technological development. The CMA presented the commitments as important initial steps within its strengthened regulatory framework.
Apple responded by underlining what it called strong competitive pressures. "We face fierce competition in every market where we operate, and we work tirelessly to create the best products, services and user experience," the company said. It added that "the commitments announced today allow Apple to continue advancing important privacy and security innovations for users and great opportunities for developers."
Google said that, while it considered its existing developer-facing practices to be fair, objective and transparent, it welcomed the chance to work with the CMA to address the regulator's concerns collaboratively.
The commitments target the procedures and access rights that shape how developers build and distribute apps on iOS and Android, and represent regulatory action intended to alter dynamics in mobile platforms where the two firms hold dominant roles.
Context limitations: The CMA characterized the commitments as first steps under its tougher regime; the regulator's earlier statements about the firms' influence remain part of the public record. The companies' comments indicate differing perspectives on the necessity of changes, with Apple emphasizing continued privacy and security work and Google noting confidence in its current practices.