Apparently, this British establishment alleges that Apple could be slowing down innovation in browsers of smartphones, which is why it recommends that the duopoly of Apple and Google in mobile ecosystems be investigated. Specifically, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said yesterday that it had found that mobile browser markets were not performing well for UK businesses and millions of phone users.
And one of the culprits for this happening is Apple, due to restrictions on mobile browsers that are limiting innovation and stopping new functions that could benefit iPhone users.
Safari prevents other browsers from being better
This report published by an independent research group of the CMA emphasizes that Safari policies, Apple’s own browser prevents competing browsers from implementing certain features, such as faster web page loading technologies. The research also revealed that many UK app developers would prefer offer progressive web apps as an alternative to distribution in the App Store, but the current limitations of Apple’s iOS make this impractical.
Through our research, we have tentatively discovered that competition between different mobile browsers is not working well and this is holding back innovation in the UK
In addition, a revenue sharing agreement between Apple and Google that “significantly reduces the financial incentives to compete between both brands.”
To this we add that the CMA also discovered that both companies can manipulate the way in which the applications are presented to users. browser options, making their own offerings, i.e. Safari or Chrome, appear as the top options.
Apple responds
Unlike other times, where Apple’s response takes a long time to appear for whatever reasons, this time the technology giant has expressed its disagreement with the UK competition regulator’s findings that the company is hampering innovation in smartphone browsers.
Apple strongly rejected these conclusions, particularly in regards to Safari, and the in-app browsing capabilities on iOS devices.
In a statement that was published a few hours after the news broke, Apple confirmed its willingness to engage constructively with the UK Competition and Markets Authority and be dedicated to maintaining user privacy and security while working with regulators.
At the moment Google has not commented on the matter, although it is to be imagined that it will follow Apple’s pampering to defend itself against these accusations about the lack of innovation and competition agreed upon between both brands.
