UK Watchdog Demands Level Playing Field for iPhone Browsers, But Apple Can't Excel

UK Competition Regulator Mandates iPhone Browser Competition

The UK's competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has ruled that Apple must allow free and open competition between web browsers on iPhones. However, it also stipulates that Safari cannot be better than its competitors. This decision follows an EU investigation that found Apple was breaking competition laws by forcing developers of competing browsers to use WebKit, limiting their ability to offer unique features.

Apple has responded by allowing third-party browsers to use their own engines and giving users a choice of default browser during setup. However, the CMA also requires Apple to make new WebKit features available to other developers when they are developed for Safari. Apple argues that this would lead to 'free-riding' and hamper its ability to innovate, as developing these features is resource-intensive.

Critics argue that while genuine competition is important, the CMA's stance of not allowing Apple to excel in browser development is contradictory.