UK Regulator Moves to Break Apple and Google's In-App Payment Lock
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has launched a formal consultation under Britain's Digital Markets regime, targeting Apple and Google's grip on in-app payments. The proposed conduct requirements would allow developers to steer users toward external payment processors, bypassing the platforms' own billing systems. This is a regulatory escalation beyond previous investigations — it is now a structured rule-making process with enforceable outcomes.
Apple and Google each collect commissions of up to 30% on in-app purchases, and that revenue stream is directly in the crosshairs of this action. If the UK rules take effect, they reduce high-margin services revenue for both companies and set a template that other major regulators — particularly in the EU and US — could follow. Investors in AAPL and GOOGL should treat this as a slow-moving but real margin risk to the services segment.
CMA consultation response window (typically 4–8 weeks from launch): watch for the CMA's publication of final conduct requirements. EU Digital Markets Act enforcement checkpoints: ongoing. US DOJ v. Apple app store case: ongoing proceedings.
- UK watchdog pushes Apple, Google to allow alternative payment methods · Seeking Alpha
- UK watchdog plans to break Apple and Google's 'effective duopoly' on mobile app stores · The Guardian Business
- Apple claims CMA app store shake-up could 'open the door to scams' · City AM
- South Korean trade watchdog alleges Google abused its position in Android app store · Investing.com
- Google faces South Korea antitrust probe over app store practices · Investing.com
- South Korea watchdog says Google stifled Android app store competition · Seeking Alpha
- After ten years of legal battle, Google ordered to pay 126 million euros to French media outlets including Figaro Group · Le Figaro Economie
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