Apple and Google, among the planet’s leading technology corporations, maintain their stronghold within the UK’s digital landscape, raising worries from the nation’s primary competition authority. As per the regulator, the firm control these companies exert over mobile software platforms, application marketplaces, and internet browsers greatly restricts consumer options and hinders technological advancement.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been examining the mobile tech sector in depth, and its findings suggest that Apple and Google’s hold on core digital infrastructure creates what amounts to a digital duopoly. Their dominance extends beyond hardware and into the critical gateways through which consumers and developers interact with the digital world.
Mobile devices have become the primary means by which individuals access online content, services, and applications. In this space, Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android account for virtually all smartphone operating systems in the UK. While consumers technically have a choice between these two platforms, the CMA notes that switching between them can be inconvenient and costly due to incompatible ecosystems and the effort needed to transfer data or learn a new system.
Beyond the operating systems themselves, both companies also control their respective app marketplaces—Apple’s App Store and Google Play. These platforms act as gatekeepers for developers, who must comply with each company’s rules and revenue-sharing models in order to reach users. For consumers, this often means being locked into the apps and services approved and promoted by Apple and Google, with limited visibility or access to independent alternatives.
Additionally, each corporation includes its own web browsers—Safari by Apple and Chrome by Google—into their gadgets. Even though alternative browsers can be obtained, the majority of users stick with the ones that are already pre-installed. This predetermined state offers Apple and Google an extra advantage in competition, bolstering their influence over user internet interaction.
The apprehensions of the CMA focus on how this extent of market domination limits both competition and innovation. Developers frequently encounter significant charges—reaching as much as 30% in certain situations—when distributing applications and facilitating in-app transactions. These expenses can be daunting for smaller developers and new companies, hindering their capacity to compete or innovate.
From a consumer perspective, the regulator argues that limited competition leads to fewer choices, reduced functionality, and higher costs. For instance, alternative payment systems or app stores are difficult to implement or access on iPhones and Android devices. Consumers are therefore funneled into the ecosystems that Apple and Google design, with little room for alternatives to gain traction.
The CMA also notes that the dominance of the two tech giants reduces pressure to improve security, privacy, or product quality beyond what is necessary to maintain their market position. If consumers feel locked into a platform, they may be less likely to switch—even if another option offers better features or value.
The UK isn’t the only nation examining the significant influence exerted by Apple and Google. Regulators in the United States, European Union, and various other areas have expressed similar worries. Antitrust probes and legal disputes are ongoing in multiple regions, mirroring many of the conclusions drawn by the CMA.
However, the UK’s regulatory approach has focused on establishing a pro-competition regime tailored specifically to digital markets. Rather than relying solely on existing antitrust laws—which can be slow and reactive—the CMA is proposing more proactive tools to address imbalances before they harm consumers and businesses.
One suggestion features establishing a Digital Markets Unit (DMU) with the authority to implement a fresh set of guidelines for leading digital platforms. This might entail requiring improved interoperability among platforms, lowering charges for app creators, or demanding increased clarity about app ranking and recommendation processes.
Apple and Google have responded to such regulatory pressures by defending their business models and arguing that their platforms offer strong security, privacy, and user experience. Apple, in particular, emphasizes its focus on safety and quality control in the App Store, while Google points to the flexibility and openness of the Android ecosystem.
Both firms also assert that their charges are typical throughout the sector and support ongoing investment in developer tools and resources. They claim their leading position is not due to unfair practices, but because they provide high-quality products that customers willingly select.
Nonetheless, critics argue that these justifications overlook the inherent advantages of being default providers and controlling both the hardware and software layers of the mobile experience. Even if their products are high-quality, the lack of viable alternatives suggests a need for regulatory oversight.
The CMA’s investigation is part of a broader effort to make the digital economy fairer, more open, and more competitive. With smartphones and digital services now embedded in daily life, the stakes are high. Ensuring that consumers have real choices—and that developers can reach audiences without prohibitive costs—requires more than market forces alone.
If regulators succeed in curbing the dominance of Apple and Google, it could pave the way for a more dynamic digital environment in the UK. New app stores, browsers, or payment systems could emerge, offering users alternatives that better meet their needs. It could also create space for smaller developers and innovators to thrive, challenging the status quo that has long favored tech giants.
Although any modifications to regulations are expected to encounter opposition and may require time to enforce, the trend is evident. Officials are indicating that digital markets should be controlled by regulations that promote competition, safeguard consumers, and ensure that innovation is not hindered by established dominance.
The CMA’s persistent initiatives illustrate an increasing acknowledgment that the online realm needs to be held to the same standards of accountability and competitiveness as the tangible one. As the UK progresses, its strategy might become a blueprint for addressing Big Tech in the current era—striking a balance between innovation and equity, as well as consumer advantages and corporate duty.
