The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has launched investigations into Apple and Google to assess their dominance in mobile ecosystems, as part of the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.

The aim is to evaluate whether these companies hold “strategic market status” in their operating systems, app stores, and browsers.

The CMA’s inquiries will examine the implications for UK consumers and businesses, particularly app developers dependent on these platforms.

According to the CMA, the majority of smartphones in the UK run on either Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android systems, which dominate the app stores and web browsers.

The investigation will focus on three main areas: competition within the ecosystems of Apple and Google, the extension of their market power into other activities, and potential exploitative practices.

Both Apple and Google responded to the announcement, emphasizing their contributions to innovation and consumer convenience.