The UK is investigating Google and Apple’s mobile ecosystems

Google and Apple are having a bad day. The tech giants are facing a fresh investigation into their mobile ecosystems from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and mounting pressure to adopt a new App Store initiative in India.

Let’s start with the probe, which comes one day after the CMA named a Former Amazon CEO As its interim president. The CMA is investigating whether Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystems should have Strategic Market Status (SMS) and therefore could be subject to more pro-competitive regulation and guidance. However, it is not entirely clear what exactly aspects are being investigated. This new nomenclature originates from Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Code (DMCC) in the UKwhich took effect on January 1. Google is also a topic First inquiry via SMSlaunched earlier this month and focuses on potential antitrust practices around the company’s search services.

The CMA’s SMS investigations could last up to nine months, with both cases currently accepting comments on the investigation and potential interventions. The organizer is Accepting submissions About the joint investigation between Google and Apple until February 12.

Now we move on to the other headache that Apple and Google suffer from. In India, the Ministry of Technology is pressuring Apple and Google to introduce the state-backed GOV.in app store in their markets. Bloomberg Reports. The Indian government also wants the suite of apps to be pre-installed on all mobile devices, be available for third-party downloads, and not be labeled with warnings like “untrusted source.” It considers this payment a means to further distribute public care services. These apps are currently available in the Apple and Google app stores, but as separate entities.

The initial request reportedly came at a meeting last month, but for now, Google and Apple are unlikely to agree. The Indian government is reportedly discussing using mandates or taking legal steps to enforce compliance. In 2021, Apple began offering a similar option to Russian users due to regulations.