Open Web AdvocacyNov 4

The 🇬🇧UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially designated Apple as having Strategic Market Status (SMS). After four years investigating Apple’s restrictions on browser engines and web apps, the CMA now has statutory authority to enforce a code of conduct.

Read our full analysis here:
https://open-web-advocacy.org/blog/what-apples-uk-strategic-market-status-designation-means-for-browsers-and-web-apps/
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What Apple’s UK Strategic Market Status Designation means for Browsers and Web Apps - Open Web Advocacy

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The most important outcomes being the CMA can compel Apple to:
- Allow third-party browsers on iOS to use their own engines.
- Provide equivalent access to functionality for browsers using their own browser engines.
- Let third-party browsers install and manage web apps using their own engines.
- Remove barriers to web app adoption, such as implementing a web app equivalent to smart banners or install prompts in iOS Safari.
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The CMA found Apple's ban on browser engines restricts the ability of third-party browsers to innovate and develop features.
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Nov 4 at 8:19amWeb
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The CMA found this inhibits web apps, which could be an alternative for native apps:
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The CMA found this increases costs for third-party browsers by forcing them to develop a WebKit based browser:
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The CMA found that web apps are NOT CURRENTLY a viable replacement for native apps on iOS, and that multiple content providers had indicated that Apple's restrictions on browsers were to blame:
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Multiple content providers had indicated that Apple's restrictions on iOS browsers also limited web apps viability on Android:
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The CMA highlight that Apple can and does profitably forego innovation without fear of losing customers to competitors with this quote:
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Stay tuned for updates on the CMA’s upcoming investigation into browsers and web apps, starting in the first half of next year. We’ll share more details as they become available.

Read our full analysis here:
https://open-web-advocacy.org/blog/what-apples-uk-strategic-market-status-designation-means-for-browsers-and-web-apps/
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What Apple’s UK Strategic Market Status Designation means for Browsers and Web Apps - Open Web Advocacy

Open Web Advocacy