UK probes Apple, Google on cloud gaming and browsers

London:

Britain on Tuesday launched an in-depth competitive investigation into US tech giants Apple and Google’s dominance of cloud gaming and mobile internet browsers.

The regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will investigate whether consumer choice is limited by the behavior of the Silicon Valley pair, it said in a statement after an initial study more early this year.

Apple and Google “have an effective duopoly on mobile ecosystems that allows them to control operating systems, app stores and web browsers on mobile devices” to the detriment of the competition, it said. -he declares.

An overwhelming 97% of all mobile internet browsing in Britain took place using Apple or Google technology in 2021, the AMC added.

The watchdog will investigate “how Apple and Google dominate the mobile browser market and how Apple limits cloud gaming through its App Store.”

Many UK businesses and web developers say the status quo is hurting their business, stifling innovation and driving up costs, the regulator said.

“Ultimately, these restrictions limit choice and may make it more difficult to bring new innovative apps to UK consumers,” he added.

“At the same time, Apple and Google argued that restrictions were necessary to protect users.”

In response, an Apple spokesperson said it would “engage constructively” with the CMA investigation, but insisted its approach “promotes competition and choice.”

Google stressed that it is committed to “open and thriving platforms that empower consumers and help developers build successful businesses.”

(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)