CMA Halts Investigations into Apple and Google App Stores, Awaits New Digital Markets Legislation

Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has decided to close its ongoing investigations into Apple’s and Google’s app stores, anticipating implementing new legislation to regulate digital markets. The watchdog had previously identified concerns over the companies’ near-monopoly on app distribution in Britain, following a market study conducted in 2022.

The CMA launched separate probes into Apple and Google, suspecting both companies of anticompetitive practices. However, in a recent statement, the agency announced the suspension of these investigations as it awaits the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA), which is expected to come into effect later this year.

Will Hayter, Executive Director for Digital Markets at the CMA, stated that the new digital markets regime would provide enhanced powers to address the identified concerns. Apple and Google have yet to respond to the CMA’s latest decision.

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