A UK watchdog investigation into Apple and Google's app stores has been closed citing shifting 'administrative priorities.'
Headphones and Apple Music logo displayed on a phone screen are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on Dec. 5, 2023.LONDON — The U.K. competition regulator has closed its investigations into Apple’s App store and Google’s Play Store on the grounds of shifting “administrative priorities” as it prepares to rollout stronger enforcement powers over tech companies.
Both of those probes have now been dropped, the competition watchdog announced Wednesday , pending reforms to U.K. competition and consumer protection laws, which are due to come into force later this year under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act . The regulator said it expects to launch three to four investigations into companies with strategic market status within the first year of its new powers coming into force. If the CMA finds businesses are using their status to gain an unfair competitive advantage, it says it will take “targeted and proportionate action” to address their behavior.
Google says that its fees are the lowest charged by major app stores with 99% of developers qualifying for a service fee of 15% or less. The company says that in 2022 its Android app business generated almost £10 billion in revenue for British developers and supported over 457,000 jobs in the U.K. Apple did not respond to requests for comment when contacted by Billboard.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
U.K. Competition Regulator Scraps Apple And Google Probes—For NowI've been writing about technology for most of my adult life, focusing mainly on legal and regulatory issues. I write for a wide range of publications: credits include the Times, Daily Telegraph and Financial Times newspapers, as well as BBC radio and numerous technology titles.
Read more »
At best, Apple is 2-3 years behind Google in AI says Apple insiderAlan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon.
Read more »
Report reveals Apple may have used Google hardware for Apple Intelligence in the beginningIzzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities.
Read more »
Best Apple Deals on Amazon: Shop Apple AirTags, Apple AirPods Max Headphones and MoreBring home some of Apple's most in-demand tech products at great prices from Amazon.
Read more »
These 4 features might make me ditch my Apple Watch for the Google Pixel Watch 3The Google Pixel Watch 3 is an impressive-looking smartwatch. But is it enough to get me to replace my Apple Watch? It very well might be.
Read more »
Pixel Watch 3: Google Confirms Unique Feature Apple Watch Doesn’t MatchI’ve been writing about technology for two decades and am routinely struck by how the sector swings from startling innovation to persistent repetitiveness. My areas of specialty are wearable tech, cameras, home entertainment and mobile technology.
Read more »