More troubles are brewing for global technology giants Apple, Google as the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced to examine if Apple and Google constitute a duopoly on mobile devices given their control over app stores.
According to reports, the UK watchdog alongside its existing examination of Apple over the App Store has started investigating whether the dominant iOS and Android platforms represent unfair competition.
“Apple and Google control the major gateways through which people download apps or browse the web on their mobiles — whether they want to shop, play games, stream music or watch TV,” CMA Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli was quoted as saying.
“We’re looking into whether this could be creating problems for consumers and the businesses that want to reach people through their phones,” he said.
Referring to the existing App Store investigation, Coscelli added that the CMA has “already uncovered some worrying trends,” and that, “consumers and businesses could be harmed if they go unchecked.”
The new CMA plans have come under the aegis of the UK’s newly formed Big Tech regulator. However, the Digital Markets Unit will have no authority until new legislation empowers it in 2022.
The CMA is calling for users or businesses to contribute to its study and emphasizes that it is soliciting the views of developers in particular. The closing date for submissions is July 26.
