The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally found that Apple's practice of enforcing Safari as the default browser on iPhones stifles competition and innovation. This mirrors a similar finding by the EU, which led Apple to allow users in the EU to choose their default browser during iPhone setup starting with iOS 17.4.
Key CMA Findings:
- Apple's restrictions prevent competing browsers from offering potentially superior features and performance.
- Smaller UK app developers expressed interest in using progressive web apps (PWAs), but Apple's policies hinder their full potential on iOS.
- A revenue-sharing agreement between Apple and Google disincentivizes competition in mobile browsers on iOS. This agreement, where Google pays Apple a substantial sum to be the default search engine in Safari, has also faced legal challenges in the US.
The CMA's investigation also initially looked into Apple's control over cloud gaming apps, but Apple subsequently changed its policy, resolving the issue. For more information on related topics, see iOS 18.2 Mail App Redesign, Samsung Black Friday Deals, and DOJ Proposes Chrome Divestiture and Android Sale in Google Search Monopoly Case.