Khaberni - The British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on Wednesday that it has granted Apple and Google the status of "Strategic Market Status" within their mobile ecosystems, opening the door to stricter regulations and legislation in the British market.
The authority stated that the decision includes operating systems, app stores, web browsers, and their engines, adding that the move aims to enhance competition and reduce the excessive control that the two companies exert over the smart phone environment, according to a report published by "TechCrunch" and reviewed by "Al Arabiya Business".
It noted that it reached this decision after investigations that began last January, including consultations with more than 150 stakeholders, including representatives from Apple and Google.
The authority concluded that both companies possess significant and entrenched market power that grants them a permanent strategic influence in their ecosystems.
The results showed that mobile phone users in the United Kingdom rarely switch between the systems once they adopt one, and that companies are forced to publish their apps through Apple or Google stores to reach consumers.
The authority clarified that granting this classification does not imply a direct legal violation, but it allows regulatory bodies to impose targeted interventions to ensure fair competition and open the market to innovation.
An Apple spokesperson warned that the decision could lead to delays in delivering updates and new features to British users, while Google stated that it sees no sufficient justification for this classification.
The decision comes as Britain seeks to enforce stricter laws against digital monopoly, similar to European Union legislation, at a time when concerns about the dominance of American companies over the global technological infrastructure are increasing.
