UK Probes Apple and Google Over "Mobile Ecosystem" Market Power: A Deep Dive

UK Probes Apple and Google Over "Mobile Ecosystem" Market Power: A Deep Dive

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated a series of investigations into the mobile ecosystems of Apple and Google. These probes, launched under the newly enacted Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act, aim to determine if these tech giants hold "strategic market status" within their respective mobile domains. This designation signifies significant market dominance, potentially allowing the CMA to impose remedies and interventions to foster greater competition. The DMCC Act: A New Era of Tech Regulation The DMCC Act, which came into effect in January 2025, grants the CMA unprecedented powers to scrutinize the conduct of dominant digital companies. Key provisions include the ability to designate firms with "strategic market status" – those with substantial market share and the power to significantly impact market dynamics. Once designated, these companies become subject to a range of obligations aimed at promoting fairer compet…