Apple and Google Commit to UK App Store Reforms Following CMA Competition Ruling

Apple and Google have agreed to implement changes to their app store practices in the United Kingdom after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) concluded that the two companies hold an “effective duopoly” in the sector. The regulator determined in October 2025 that both companies’ app stores have “strategic market status,” granting it the authority to impose measures aimed at increasing competition and consumer choice.

Under the newly announced commitments, Apple and Google will avoid giving preferential treatment to their own applications and will provide greater transparency in how third-party apps are reviewed and approved for distribution. They have also pledged not to use data collected from third-party developers in ways that could unfairly disadvantage competitors. The CMA described these steps as initial but significant measures to strengthen fairness in the UK’s digital marketplace.

Sarah Cardell, head of the CMA, stated that the agreements demonstrate the flexibility of the UK’s digital markets regime and represent a practical way to address competition concerns quickly. The regulator emphasized that it will closely monitor compliance and may impose formal requirements if the companies fail to meet their commitments.

The UK app economy is described by the CMA as the largest in Europe by revenue and number of developers, contributing an estimated 1.5% of national GDP and supporting around 400,000 jobs. While both tech companies welcomed the agreement, they have previously warned against regulatory approaches similar to those adopted in the European Union, arguing that excessive requirements could harm innovation, privacy, and security. Analysts suggest that while the reforms mark a pragmatic first step, further regulatory scrutiny may follow.