UK Regulator Ends App Store Probes for New Law

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has closed its investigations into Apple and Google's app stores as it prepares for the implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act (DMCCA). This new legislation, effective later this year, will grant the CMA more robust powers to impose conduct requirements and significant fines on firms with 'strategic market status.' The closure of these investigations does not resolve the concerns identified, and the CMA intends to use its new authority to address these issues comprehensively. The focus of the probes included Apple's and Google's billing systems and their impact on app developers' choices and competition. The CMA had earlier identified both companies as holding a duopoly over the UK app market. Future investigations are anticipated under the new regime to ensure a fair competitive environment for app developers and consumers.