UK competition authority formally investigating iPhone App Store monopoly [Video]

The UK government today announced that the Competition and Markets Authority has launched strategic market status investigations into mobile ecosystems, specifically the App Store models of iPhone and Android.

The report says it will assess Apple’s market power, and potential exploitative conduct. This includes options for app distribution to customers, and the terms app developers must agree to to be listed in the App Store in the first place.

In summary, this sounds like the UK equivalent of the EU’s various enforcements under the umbrella of the Digital Markets Act.

The UK investigations include evaluating the amount of competition between the Apple and Google ecosystems, including barriers to entry of rival services. They will also assess whether Apple and Google are abusing their market power of the monopolies of their mobile operating systems, such as what apps are pre-installed on the device and alternative browser choices. It is also assessing the terms that app developers …