"Apple and Google's commitment to avoid discriminating against apps that compete with their own products under an agreement with the UK's competition watchdog have been labelled lightweight. The US tech companies have vowed to be more transparent about vetting third-party apps before letting them on their app stores and not discriminate against third-party apps in app search rankings. They have also agreed not to use data from third-party apps unfairly, such as using information about app updates to tweak their own offerings."
"The commitments have been secured as part of a new regulatory regime overseen by the Competition and Markets Authority, (CMA), which has the power to impose changes on how Apple and Google operate their mobile phone platforms after deciding last year that they had substantial, entrenched market power. However, the CMA has opted to allow voluntary commitments rather than impose formal changes. Tom Smith, a competition lawyer at Geradin Partners and a former CMA director, said the changes were lightweight."
Apple and Google pledged not to discriminate against third-party apps in app search rankings and to be more transparent about vetting apps for their stores. They committed not to use data from third-party apps unfairly, including using app update information to adjust their own offerings. Apple committed to easier developer access to features like the digital wallet and live AirPod translation. The commitments fall under a new CMA regulatory regime with powers to impose changes if voluntary measures fail. The CMA did not name specific competing apps. The commitments do not address app store fees of up to 30%.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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