UK Watchdog Puts Apple, Google Mobile Ecosystems Under Scrutiny
June 15 2021 - 6:06AM
Dow Jones News
By Adria Calatayud
The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority said Tuesday that
it has launched a market study into the market power of Apple Inc.
and Google's mobile ecosystems, in its latest attempt to tighten
scrutiny over U.S. tech giants.
The antitrust watchdog said it is looking into whether the
companies' control over mobile operating systems, app stores and
web browsers could be hurting competition in digital markets.
The CMA said it is concerned that this could lead to reduced
innovation and consumers paying higher prices for devices, apps or
other goods and services. The study will also examine the effects
of Apple and Google's market power over other businesses such as
app developers, the regulator said.
The regulator said this study is broader than previous
investigations into Apple's App Store and Google's proposals to
remove third-party cookies, and is part of a larger program that
seeks to establish a new regulatory regime for digital markets.
"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. We are
looking into whether this could be creating problems for consumers
and the businesses that want to reach people through their phones,"
CMA Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli said.
The CMA said it is seeking comments or concerns until July 26.
The regulator has 12 months to complete the study, it said.
Write to Adria Calatayud at adria.calatayud@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 15, 2021 06:52 ET (10:52 GMT)
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