Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that Apple and Google will face stricter oversight under new measures aimed at regulating the influence of major technology companies.
The CMA said both firms had been placed under “strategic market status” (SMS) following a nine-month investigation into their control of mobile ecosystems.
According to the regulator, the decision will allow it to impose new rules on how the companies manage their app stores, browsers, and operating systems, to promote innovation and give consumers greater choice.
“Apple and Google’s mobile platforms are used by thousands of businesses across the economy, but their rules may be limiting innovation and competition,” said Will Hayter, the CMA’s Executive Director for Digital Markets.
The agency had previously described their dominance as “an effective duopoly,” noting that nearly all mobile devices sold in the UK run either Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android operating system.
The new UK measures mirror the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which introduces similar curbs on big tech firms and carries the potential for hefty penalties.
However, both companies strongly criticised the move.
Google described the decision as “disappointing, disproportionate and unwarranted,” saying it would create “uncertain rules” affecting its Android system, Play Store, and Chrome browser.
“The CMA’s next steps will be crucial if the UK’s digital markets regime is to meet its promise of being pro-growth and pro-innovation,” said Oliver Bethell, Google’s Senior Competition Director.
Apple, on its part, warned that adopting EU-style regulations could “undermine” its commitment to user security and seamless product experience.
“We’ve seen the impact of regulation on Apple users in the EU, and we urge the UK not to follow the same path,” the company said, arguing that tighter oversight could lead to weaker privacy, delayed access to new features, and a fragmented user experience.
Wednesday’s announcement follows a separate ruling earlier this month giving Google SMS designation for its dominance in online search. The CMA is still consulting on the specific rules to apply.
The development comes as Google pledged a £5 billion ($6.7 billion) investment in the UK over the next two years to support the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector.
The company employs over 7,000 staff in the UK, while Apple has nearly 8,000 employees.
