Apple and Google Reform UK App Stores After Duopoly Ruling
Apple and Google have agreed to major app store changes in the UK to promote fair competition after regulators found they had an "effective duopoly." The reforms will help 400,000 jobs and boost the UK's largest app economy in Europe.
Two tech giants just agreed to level the playing field for millions of app developers across the UK.
Apple and Google committed to sweeping changes in their app stores after the UK's Competition and Markets Authority called out their stranglehold on the market. The reforms mean both companies will stop giving their own apps preferential treatment and must be transparent about how they approve other apps for sale.
The agreement comes seven months after regulators officially labeled the companies' control an "effective duopoly." In October 2025, both app stores received "strategic market status" designation, giving the regulator power to demand changes.
Sarah Cardell, head of the CMA, called the commitments "important first steps" that will boost the UK's app economy. The changes also prevent Apple and Google from using data collected from third-party developers in unfair ways.
The Ripple Effect
The impact reaches far beyond just app developers. The UK's app economy is the largest in Europe by revenue and number of developers, generating an estimated 1.5% of the country's GDP. That translates to supporting around 400,000 jobs across the nation.
Technology analyst Paolo Pescatore called it a "pragmatic first step," though some may want tougher measures down the line. The CMA says it will closely monitor how both companies implement the changes and can formally require compliance if commitments are ignored.
Both tech giants welcomed the agreements. Apple said it "faces fierce competition in every market" and works to create the best user experience. Google noted that while it believed its existing practices were fair, it welcomed "the opportunity to resolve the CMA's concerns collaboratively."
The UK approach offers a unique middle ground between light regulation and the EU's stricter rules. Apple has previously criticized the EU's requirements for forcing changes it says harm privacy and security.
These commitments show that regulators and tech companies can work together to create fairer digital markets without heavy-handed mandates.
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Based on reporting by BBC Technology
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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