Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has closed its investigations into Apple and Google’s app stores, awaiting new legislation governing digital markets.
The CMA had launched parallel investigations into both companies in 2022 for alleged anticompetitive behavior.
The investigations were sparked by a market study on mobile ecosystems in Britain, which found that Apple and Google held an effective monopoly over app distribution in the country.
However, in a statement published on Wednesday, the CMA announced that it had dropped both probes.
The CMA cited the upcoming rollout of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) as the reason for closing the investigations.
The new legislation is expected to come into force later this year and would grant the CMA new powers to regulate digital markets.
“Once the new pro-competition digital markets regime comes into force, we’ll be able to consider applying those new powers to concerns we had already identified through our existing work,” said Will Hayter, Executive Director for Digital Markets at the CMA.
Apple and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the CMA’s decision.
The closure of the investigations marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over digital market regulation.
The DMCCA is designed to promote competition and consumer protection in the digital economy.
With its introduction, the CMA will have enhanced powers to address anticompetitive behavior and promote innovation in digital markets.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the CMA’s decision highlights the importance of effective regulation in promoting competition and protecting consumers.
The upcoming legislation is expected to have a significant impact on the way tech companies operate in Britain.
Boluwatife Enome
Source: Reuters
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