Business Competition Supervisor in England, Investigate Apple and Google Domination in Browser Technology

JAKARTA - The UK's business competition supervisor on Tuesday, November 22, launched an in-depth investigation into the domination of Apple and Google's mobile browsers.

According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), responses to a consultancy launched in June revealed "substantial support" for a fuller investigation into the matter and whether iPhone maker Apple is restricting cloud play through its app store,

"Many UK businesses and web developers have told us they feel held back by the restrictions placed on them by Apple and Google," Sarah Cardell, CMA's interim chief executive, said in a statement.

"We plan to investigate whether the concerns we are hearing are justified and, if so, identify steps to increase competition and innovation in this sector," Cardell said.

Google says the Android mobile operating system provides users with a greater choice of apps and app stores than any other mobile platform.

"It also allows developers to choose their preferred browser engine, and has become the launch pad for millions of applications," said a Google spokesperson. "We are committed to building an open thriving platform that empowers consumers and helps developers build successful businesses."

Apple said it would "constructively" engage with CMA to explain how its approach would "promote competition and choice, while ensuring consumer privacy and safety are protected."

US tech giants, including Google owner Alphabet and Apple, are increasingly attracting the attention of competition regulators in Brussels, London and elsewhere.

"The Google Play Store is the subject of separate investigations by anti-trust authorities in the EU and UK," the company said last month.