{"id":100919,"date":"2025-10-30T03:58:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T03:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=100919"},"modified":"2025-10-30T03:58:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T03:58:00","slug":"apple-may-be-forced-to-allow-rival-app-stores-in-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=100919","title":{"rendered":"Apple may be forced to allow rival app stores in UK"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Apple may have to allow rivals to operate their own app stores on iPhones in the UK, after a ruling from the competition regulator.<\/p>\n

This would be a significant change to Apple\u2019s infamous \u201cclosed system\u201d where apps can only be downloaded from its own App Store.<\/p>\n

But the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated both Apple and Google as having \u201cstrategic market status\u201d \u2013 effectively saying they have a lot of power over mobile platforms.<\/p>\n

The ruling has drawn fury from the tech giants, with Apple saying it risked harming consumers through \u201cweaker privacy\u201d and \u201cdelayed access to new features\u201d, while Google called the decision \u201cdisappointing, disproportionate and unwarranted\u201d.<\/p>\n

The CMA said the two companies \u201cmay be limiting innovation and competition\u201d.<\/p>\n

But the regulator said it did not \u201cfind or assume wrongdoing\u201d from the firms.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe app economy generates 1.5% of the UK\u2019s GDP and supports around 400,000 jobs, which is why it\u2019s crucial these markets work well for business,\u201d said Will Hayter, the CMA\u2019s executive director for digital markets.<\/p>\n

\u201cAround 90-100% of UK mobile devices running on Apple or Google\u2019s mobile platforms,\u201d the CMA has\u00a0previously said, adding this meant the firms \u201chold an effective duopoly\u201d.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0analysis from Uswitch, 48.5% of UK mobile owners use an iPhone, which runs Apple\u2019s iOS operating system (OS) \u2013 with the vast majority of the rest using Google\u2019s Android OS.<\/p>\n

It comes after a separate decision taken in October, where the CMA\u00a0designated Google\u2019s search division\u00a0as having strategic market status.<\/p>\n

Apple hits back<\/h2>\n

The CMA\u2019s investigation focused on how prominent Apple and Google\u2019s own apps are compared with rivals, as well as their browsers and operating systems.<\/p>\n

It is unknown what changes the regulator will look to request, but in July, it published roadmaps outlining potential measures it could take.<\/p>\n

These include requiring it to be easier for people to easily switch between Apple and Android devices, and for both firms to rank apps \u201cin a fair, objective and transparent manner\u201d in their app stores.<\/p>\n

Apple specifically may be required to allow alternative app stores on its devices and let people download programs directly from companies\u2019 websites.<\/p>\n

This would follow\u00a0a similar ruling\u00a0in the European Union (EU), which fined Apple in April, accusing it of anti-competitive behaviour.<\/p>\n

Apple warned the UK could lose access to getting new features, as has happened in the EU, which the company blames on heavy regulation.<\/p>\n

For example, some Apple Intelligence features which have been rolled out in other parts of the world are not available in the EU.<\/p>\n

\u201cApple faces fierce competition in every market where we operate, and we work tirelessly to create the best products, services and user experience,\u201d the company said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe UK\u2019s adoption of EU-style rules would undermine that, leaving users with weaker privacy and security, delayed access to new features, and a fragmented, less seamless experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Google also livid<\/h2>\n

Android users can currently use third-party app stores \u2013 though critics say they are not as smooth as Google\u2019s own Play Store.<\/p>\n

The CMA\u2019s roadmap said Google may have to \u201cchange the user experience\u201d of downloading apps directly from websites, as well as \u201cremove user frictions\u201d when using alternative app stores, such as listing them directly on the Google Play Store.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe simply do not see the rationale for today\u2019s designation decision,\u201d Google competition lead Oliver Bethell said.<\/p>\n

Mr Bethell said \u201cthe majority of Android users\u201d use alternative app stores or download apps directly from a developer\u2019s website, and claimed there is a far greater range of apps available for Android users compared to those on Apple devices.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are now 24,000 Android phone models from 1,300 phone manufacturers worldwide, facing intense competition from iOS in the UK,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Android is an open-source operating system, which means developers can use and build on top of it for free.<\/p>\n

Google argues this means it opens up competition.<\/p>\n

But consumer group Which? said curbs on these companies\u2019 power in other countries \u201care already helping businesses to innovate and giving consumers more choice\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir dominance is now causing real harm by restricting choice for consumers and competition for businesses,\u201d said its head of policy and advocacy, Rocio Concha.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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