The UK’s antitrust watchdog on Friday said it was consulting on launching an investigation into US technology companies Apple and Google’s “market power” in mobile browsers and Apple’s restrictions on cloud gaming through its app store.
Apple and Google have an “effective duopoly” on mobile “ecosystems” that allows them to exercise a stranglehold over these markets, which include operating systems, app stores and web browsers on mobile devices, the Competition and Markets Authority said in a statement.
“Without interventions, both companies are likely to maintain, and even strengthen, their grip over the sector … further restricting competition and limiting incentives for innovators,” it added.
Mobile web browsers are designed to display web content most efficiently on small screens used on mobile devices such as smartphones or personal digital assistants.
Mobile devices typically have either Google’s Chrome or Apple’s Safari mobile browsers pre-installed and set as default at purchase, giving them a key advantage over rival browsers.
As of February, Chrome and Safari mobile browsers commanded 62 per cent and 26 per cent global market share, respectively, according to figures compiled by Statista.
Last year, nearly 97 per cent of all mobile web browsing in the UK was powered by either Apple’s or Google’s browser engine.
The Cupertino-based iPhone maker does not allow alternatives to its own browsing engine on its mobile devices. The CMA said it is concerned “this severely limits the potential for rival browsers to differentiate themselves from Safari [for example, on features such as speed and functionality] and limits Apple’s incentives to invest in its browser engine”.
This deprives consumers and businesses of the full benefits of this innovative technology, it added.
“When it comes to how people use mobile phones, Apple and Google hold all the cards. As good as many of their services and products are, their strong grip on mobile ecosystems allows them to shut out competitors, holding back the British tech sector and limiting choice,” Andrea Coscelli, the CMA’s chief executive, said.
“We all rely on browsers to use the internet on our phones, and the engines that make them work have a huge bearing on what we can see and do. Right now, choice in this space is severely limited and that has real impacts — preventing innovation and reducing competition.”
The CMA said it had heard concerns from several UK businesses and start-ups which said that the restrictions related to mobile browsers and cloud gaming made it harder for them to innovate and compete.
The proposed market investigation that “will further assess the competition concerns identified to date in both areas and decide what, if any, action is appropriate”.
This could include making legally binding orders requiring changes to be made to Apple’s and Google’s practices, the CMA said.
The CMA on Friday said it is also launching a competition law investigation against Alphabet-owned Google in relation to its app store payment practices. Separately, the CMA has an existing competition law investigation in relation to Apple’s app store terms and conditions, which it opened in March last year.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
ODI FIXTURE SCHEDULE
First ODI, October 22
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Second ODI, October 25
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Third ODI, October 29
Venue TBC
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Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
More from Neighbourhood Watch
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Brief scores
Barcelona 2
Pique 36', Alena 87'
Villarreal 0
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
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Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
