Under a new agreement with the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Apple and Google have pledged to enhance transparency regarding their app vetting processes and to avoid discriminating against apps that compete with their own. These commitments, effective from April 1, aim to address concerns over the companies' significant market power in mobile platforms without imposing legally binding measures.
The CMA, which has the authority to enforce changes, has opted for voluntary commitments instead. While the agreement includes better access for app developers to features such as the digital wallet and live translation for AirPod users, it does not address the contentious issue of the up to 30% fees charged by the companies on app sales.
Tom Smith, a competition lawyer, described the commitments as "lightweight" and lacking legal enforceability. If Apple and Google do not effectively implement these changes, the CMA has indicated it may enforce them formally in the future.