TechUpdate

Competition and Antitrust

Apple and Google agree to UK duopoly claim and app store reforms

Apple and Google have agreed to make changes to their app stores in the UK following an intervention from the UK markets regulator Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

In 2025, the CMA had ruled both app stores had strategic market status, a decision which allowed it to request changes to encourage competition.

According to regulator, the two tech giants have now committed to not giving preferential treatment to their own apps.

“The ability to secure immediate commitments from Apple and Google reflects the unique flexibility of the UK digital markets competition regime and offers a practical route to swiftly address the concerns we’ve identified,” said the CMA’s chief executive officer Sarah Cardell.

Photo credits: Competition and Markets Authority

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Apple and Google have agreed to make changes to their app stores in the UK following an intervention from the UK markets regulator Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

In 2025, the CMA had ruled both app stores had strategic market status, a decision which allowed it to request changes to encourage competition.

According to regulator, the two tech giants have now committed to not giving preferential treatment to their own apps.

“The ability to secure immediate commitments from Apple and Google reflects the unique flexibility of the UK digital markets competition regime and offers a practical route to swiftly address the concerns we’ve identified,” said the CMA’s chief executive officer Sarah Cardell.

Photo credits: Competition and Markets Authority