Apple warns CMA EU-style rules could harm users and delay UK features

Apple warned on Wednesday that proposed "EU style" rules being considered by the United Kingdom's competition regulator could harm users and developers and prompt the company to delay or withhold product features in the UK, replicating what it says happened in Europe. The comments come as the Competition and Markets Authority prepares a final decision on whether to designate Apple and Google as firms with strategic market status and impose new obligations on their mobile platforms.

The CMA has argued that Apple and Google together control around 90 to 100 percent of UK mobile devices, creating an effective duopoly that requires intervention to foster competition. Its proposed changes would force the platforms to allow developers to steer users to alternative payment systems, open certain digital wallet and smartwatch interfaces to third parties, and improve interoperability so UK app makers can build new services. The regulator has given the companies an opportunity to respond and said it will make a final decision in October, while other agency statements indicate consultation could continue into 2025 before any rules are implemented.

Apple said the CMA plans "are bad for users...