The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has completed a detailed examination of the market for mobile browsers, which finds that Apple’s and Google’s market power is strangling innovation and limiting competition. The report lists several exclusionary conducts from the two tech giants that harm consumers and companies.
Apple’s policies have particularly been pointed out as being excessively restrictive. Apple requires all iOS browsers to use its WebKit browser engine, which prevents other browsers from introducing unique features or optimizations to iPhones and iPads. This prohibition prevents other browsers from differentiating themselves from Safari, Apple’s default browser, which enjoys privileged access to iOS features. To add, Safari is also pre-installed as the default browser on all iPhones, further diminishing other browsers’ visibility to users.
The CMA also noted that Apple imposes limitations on in-app browsing, which makes it difficult for other browsers to offer app users who tap on links to the web. The limitations have a negative impact on competition and innovation, with customers possibly missing out on new features and businesses being hampered in their ability to reach customers through browser apps.
Even Google’s own conduct has been called into question, namely its agreement with Apple whereby it pays a substantial percentage of search revenue to be the default search engine on iPhones. This arrangement significantly reduces Google’s economic incentive to compete with Apple in the browser market. Chrome is also pre-installed as the default browser on most Android devices, which largely accounts for its market share.
The report emphasizes that the market dominance of the duopoly is crushing, with Safari taking over 88% of Apple device browsers and Chrome 77% of Android device browsers in 2024. This leaves limited room for other browsers to compete effectively.
On the basis of these findings, the CMA is setting out potential remedies that would involve forcing Apple to allow other browser engines on iOS and both companies to offer browser choice screens upon device setup. No immediate action will be taken, however. What the CMA has done is launch individual investigations into both companies to determine whether they possess “strategic market status” under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. If granted such a status, Apple and Google could face stricter antitrust requirements and potential fines of up to 10% of their annual turnover for non-compliance.
Apple responded to the report by defending itself and expressing fears that the proposed remedies would undermine privacy, security, and the overall user experience. Apple believes in competitive markets where innovation can thrive and says it competes in every market where it does business.
The CMA’s findings are part of a growing scrutiny of big tech firms by regulators globally, with the European Commission and U.S. Department of Justice also investigating mobile browser competition. Apple and Google’s strategic market position is set to be investigated later this year.
