Bitget App
Trade smarter
Buy cryptoMarketsTradeFuturesEarnSquareMore
U.K. assigns ‘strategic market status’ to Apple and Google, paving the way for increased regulatory oversight

U.K. assigns ‘strategic market status’ to Apple and Google, paving the way for increased regulatory oversight

Bitget-RWA2025/10/22 15:33
By:Bitget-RWA

On Wednesday, the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that it is granting Apple and Google strategic market status for their respective mobile ecosystems. This move, which covers their operating systems, app stores, browsers, and browser engines, gives the regulator the authority to implement specific measures to foster greater competition in the sector.

The CMA began its inquiries into Apple and Google in January, and in July suggested possible actions that could result in the companies being assigned strategic market status (SMS). To make its determination, the CMA engaged with over 150 stakeholders and held discussions with both companies. The regulator ultimately concluded that Apple and Google possess “significant, entrenched market power and hold a strategically important position within their respective mobile platforms.”

The CMA also found that once U.K. consumers choose either Apple or Google’s mobile ecosystem, they are unlikely to switch to the other. The report highlighted that both companies require businesses to use their app stores to distribute apps to users.

Importantly, the CMA noted that emerging technologies such as AI are “not expected to diminish Apple or Google’s market dominance during the five-year period of designation.”

“Apple and Google’s mobile platforms are essential tools for thousands of businesses across the economy to promote and sell their products and services to millions of people, but the rules set by these platforms could be restricting competition and stifling innovation,” Will Hayter, the CMA’s executive director for digital markets, commented in a statement.

The CMA clarified that assigning SMS to these platforms does not imply any misconduct. Rather, it enables the authority to consider “measured, targeted steps to guarantee that mobile platforms remain open to genuine competition, and that both consumers and businesses relying on Google and Apple can trust they are being treated justly,” according to the announcement.

Both Apple and Google have objected to the ruling. Apple cautioned that the decision could result in U.K. users experiencing delays in receiving new features—an issue already seen with Apple Intelligence. Google, for its part, stated that it did not agree with the reasoning behind the decision.

0

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

PoolX: Earn new token airdrops
Lock your assets and earn 10%+ APR
Lock now!

You may also like

XRP News Today: XRP ETF Momentum Contrasts with Declining Network Engagement

- XRP's ETF inflows exceed $420M daily, contrasting with 50% lower on-chain payment volume and declining transaction counts. - Technical indicators show fragile bullish momentum below $2.28, while RSI rejection and EMA positioning highlight bearish pressure. - Fed's 81% rate cut probability and ETF-driven demand could push XRP toward $3, but network activity weakness raises sustainability doubts. - MACD buy signals clash with declining 50-day EMA ($2.38) and structural vulnerabilities in ETF-dependent pric

Bitget-RWA2025/11/28 19:38
XRP News Today: XRP ETF Momentum Contrasts with Declining Network Engagement

Ethereum News Update: North Korean Cybercriminals' Cross-Chain Money Laundering Reveals Vulnerabilities in Crypto Security

- North Korean hackers suspected in $36.8M Upbit breach used multi-chain laundering across Solana and Ethereum to obscure stolen assets. - Upbit froze transactions, pledged user reimbursements, and faces regulatory fines for delayed reporting amid a $10.3B merger with Naver. - Attack mirrors 2019 Lazarus tactics, exposing crypto industry vulnerabilities as stolen funds were rapidly converted into $1.6M via 185 wallets. - Market volatility surged with altcoin price spikes, while regulators intensify scrutin

Bitget-RWA2025/11/28 19:38
Ethereum News Update: North Korean Cybercriminals' Cross-Chain Money Laundering Reveals Vulnerabilities in Crypto Security

Blazpay's 24-Hour Timer: AI-Powered Token Set to Dominate the 2025 Cryptocurrency Surge

- Blazpay's Phase 4 presale enters final 24 hours with $1.52M raised and 78.6% tokens sold, outpacing initial sales projections. - Analysts highlight 3.4x-5x return potential for early buyers, citing AI-powered trading tools, multichain infrastructure, and audit-backed security protocols. - Investors can purchase BLAZ tokens via USDT/ETH/BNB through the official portal, with referral incentives and gamified rewards boosting community engagement. - Project emphasizes real-world utility including automated t

Bitget-RWA2025/11/28 19:38
Blazpay's 24-Hour Timer: AI-Powered Token Set to Dominate the 2025 Cryptocurrency Surge

Bitcoin News Update: MSCI Regulation Ignites Tension Between Bitcoin and Major Traditional Financial Institutions

- MSCI's proposed rule to exclude firms with over 50% crypto assets risks triggering $8.8B in forced Bitcoin sell-offs from index-tracking funds by 2026. - JPMorgan's analysis highlights existential threats for crypto-focused companies like Strategy (MSTR), which could face $2.8B in passive outflows alone. - Critics accuse MSCI and JPMorgan of bias, citing the bank's anti-crypto stance and the "binary cliff effect" of the 50% threshold destabilizing market eligibility. - The debate reflects a clash between

Bitget-RWA2025/11/28 19:38
Bitcoin News Update: MSCI Regulation Ignites Tension Between Bitcoin and Major Traditional Financial Institutions