Apple, Google agree to UK's fairness commitments for app stores

ISTANBUL

The UK competition watchdog announced that Apple and Google have proposed commitments to address fairness concerns in their mobile ecosystems.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stated on Tuesday that these measures aim to improve app review processes and ranking systems for third-party developers.

Last year, the CMA asserted that both companies had an “effective duopoly," giving them an unfair advantage.

Apple specifically agreed to enable developers to request interoperable access to features and functionality within its operating system.

Both companies commit to preventing the use of non-public data from rival apps to benefit their own competing services.

The authority expects the new commitments to formally take effect from April 1, 2026.

Regulators warn that they will impose formal conduct requirements if the companies fail to implement the agreed changes effectively.

The measures intend to boost the UK app economy by giving businesses the confidence to invest and innovate.

This announcement marked the first major action secured by the CMA under the new digital markets competition framework.