A survey carried out in the United Kingdom takes a close look at the supposed predominance of Apple and Google browsers on smartphones. British regulators are particularly looking to determine whether Safari and Google Chrome leave enough room for their competitors on iOS and Android respectively.
Do Safari and Google Chrome leave enough room for competing browsers on the iOS and Android ecosystems? The question is now asked by the British regulators of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The latter opened a survey last week aimed at measuring the predominance of Apple and Google browsers on smartphones.
As pointed out Reuters, this investigation follows a consultation procedure launched in June, the conclusions of which called for the opening of an in-depth investigation. Here we are. This investigation will also have to establish whether or not Apple is restricting the deployment of Cloud Gaming on iPhone and iPad by curbing the publication of certain applications (such as Nvidia GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming) on its App Store.
Apple and Google again scrutinized by the anti-trust
” Many UK businesses and web developers tell us they feel held back by restrictions imposed by Apple and Google “, explained in particular in a press release Sarah Cardell, director of the CMA on an interim basis. “We plan to investigate whether the concerns we have heard are justified and, if so, put in place measures to improve competition and innovation in these sectors. »
For its part, Google returns to its usual defense arguments, indicating that Android offers users more choice of applications and application markets (despite some cases suggesting otherwise) than any other mobile platform. . ” [Android] also allows developers to choose the browser engine they want, and has been the starting point for millions of apps “, continues the firm, whose remarks are reported to us by Reuters. ” We are committed to building open and thriving platforms that empower consumers and help developers build successful businesses “Google continues.
Apple’s reaction to this investigation is more or less equivalent. The company notably promised to dialogue in a way constructive ” with the CMA… but above all to explain to him how much his approach “ promotes competition and choice, while ensuring the protection of consumer privacy and security “.
Remember that despite the official positions of Apple and Google, the two companies are regularly singled out for their anti-competitive practices. They are already the subject of other anti-trust investigations in Europe and the United Kingdom.
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