Apple and Google agree to change app stores after 'effective duopoly' claim

"Apple and Google have agreed to make changes to their app stores in the UK following an intervention from the UK markets regulator. According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the tech giants have committed to not giving preferential treatment to their own apps and will be transparent about how others are approved for sale, among other agreements. It comes seven months after the regulator said Apple and Google had an "effective duopoly" in the UK over their dominance in the sector."

"It comes seven months after the regulator said Apple and Google had an "effective duopoly" in the UK over their dominance in the sector. The CMA's head Sarah Cardell said the proposed commitments "will boost the UK's app economy" and were the first of many measures. "The ability to secure immediate commitments from Apple and Google reflects the unique flexibility of the UK digital markets competition regime and offers a practical route to swiftly address the concerns we've identified," she said."

"The CMA ruled both Apple and Google's app stores had "strategic market status" in October 2025, which allowed it to demand changes to promote competition and choice. As part of the measures announced on Tuesday, the regulator said Apple and Google had also committed not to use data gathered from third-party app developers in an unfair way. Cardell said these were "important first steps" as the CMA continues to work on further measures with Apple and Google."

Apple and Google agreed to change app store practices in the UK following intervention by the Competition and Markets Authority. The companies committed not to give preferential treatment to their own apps, to be transparent about third-party app approval processes, and not to use data gathered from third-party developers unfairly. The CMA had designated both app stores as having strategic market status in October 2025, enabling it to demand changes to promote competition and choice. The regulator will closely monitor implementation and may impose formal requirements if commitments are ignored. Both Apple and Google issued statements welcoming the agreements.

Read at www.bbc.com