Apple and Google, two of the world’s most influential tech companies, continue to dominate the digital ecosystem in the United Kingdom, drawing concern from the country’s top competition watchdog. According to the regulator, the tight grip these two firms hold over mobile operating systems, app stores, and web browsers significantly limits consumer choice and stifles innovation.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been conducting a thorough investigation into the mobile technology industry. Their research indicates that Apple and Google’s control over essential digital infrastructure results in what can be described as a digital duopoly. Their influence is not limited to devices, as it also encompasses the key channels through which users and developers engage with the digital realm.
Mobile devices have become the primary means by which individuals access online content, services, and applications. In this space, Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android account for virtually all smartphone operating systems in the UK. While consumers technically have a choice between these two platforms, the CMA notes that switching between them can be inconvenient and costly due to incompatible ecosystems and the effort needed to transfer data or learn a new system.
Beyond the operating systems themselves, both companies also control their respective app marketplaces—Apple’s App Store and Google Play. These platforms act as gatekeepers for developers, who must comply with each company’s rules and revenue-sharing models in order to reach users. For consumers, this often means being locked into the apps and services approved and promoted by Apple and Google, with limited visibility or access to independent alternatives.
Additionally, each company bundles its proprietary web browsers—Safari for Apple and Chrome for Google—into their devices. Although other browsers can be downloaded, most users default to the pre-installed options. This default status gives Apple and Google a further competitive edge, reinforcing their control over how users experience the internet.
The apprehensions of the CMA focus on how this extent of market domination limits both competition and innovation. Developers frequently encounter significant charges—reaching as much as 30% in certain situations—when distributing applications and facilitating in-app transactions. These expenses can be daunting for smaller developers and new companies, hindering their capacity to compete or innovate.
From a consumer perspective, the regulator argues that limited competition leads to fewer choices, reduced functionality, and higher costs. For instance, alternative payment systems or app stores are difficult to implement or access on iPhones and Android devices. Consumers are therefore funneled into the ecosystems that Apple and Google design, with little room for alternatives to gain traction.
The CMA also notes that the dominance of the two tech giants reduces pressure to improve security, privacy, or product quality beyond what is necessary to maintain their market position. If consumers feel locked into a platform, they may be less likely to switch—even if another option offers better features or value.
The UK is not alone in scrutinizing the immense power held by Apple and Google. Similar concerns have been raised by regulators in the United States, European Union, and other regions. Antitrust investigations and legal battles are underway across several jurisdictions, many of which echo the CMA’s findings.
Nevertheless, the regulatory strategy in the UK has concentrated on creating a competition-friendly framework specifically designed for digital markets. Instead of depending entirely on current antitrust regulations, which can be sluggish and reactive, the CMA is suggesting more proactive measures to tackle imbalances before they negatively impact consumers and businesses.
One proposal includes the creation of a Digital Markets Unit (DMU) empowered to enforce a new code of conduct for dominant digital platforms. This could involve mandating greater interoperability between platforms, reducing fees for app developers, or requiring more transparency around how apps are ranked or recommended.
Apple and Google have responded to such regulatory pressures by defending their business models and arguing that their platforms offer strong security, privacy, and user experience. Apple, in particular, emphasizes its focus on safety and quality control in the App Store, while Google points to the flexibility and openness of the Android ecosystem.
Both firms also assert that their charges are typical throughout the sector and support ongoing investment in developer tools and resources. They claim their leading position is not due to unfair practices, but because they provide high-quality products that customers willingly select.
However, detractors claim that these explanations ignore the intrinsic benefits of being standard providers and managing both the hardware and software aspects of the mobile experience. Despite the excellence of their products, the absence of feasible options indicates a requirement for regulatory supervision.
The CMA’s investigation is part of a broader effort to make the digital economy fairer, more open, and more competitive. With smartphones and digital services now embedded in daily life, the stakes are high. Ensuring that consumers have real choices—and that developers can reach audiences without prohibitive costs—requires more than market forces alone.
If regulators succeed in curbing the dominance of Apple and Google, it could pave the way for a more dynamic digital environment in the UK. New app stores, browsers, or payment systems could emerge, offering users alternatives that better meet their needs. It could also create space for smaller developers and innovators to thrive, challenging the status quo that has long favored tech giants.
While any regulatory changes are likely to face resistance and take time to implement, the direction is clear. Authorities are signaling that digital markets must be governed by rules that encourage competition, protect consumers, and ensure that innovation is not stifled by entrenched power.
The CMA’s persistent initiatives illustrate an increasing acknowledgment that the online realm needs to be held to the same standards of accountability and competitiveness as the tangible one. As the UK progresses, its strategy might become a blueprint for addressing Big Tech in the current era—striking a balance between innovation and equity, as well as consumer advantages and corporate duty.
