Apple wins appeal against British investigation into dominance of the mobile browser market

Apple has won its appeal against an investigation by the British market regulator. The CMA investigated Apple and Alphabet for their dominant position in the field of mobile web browsers. The investigation is hereby suspended. The CMA is considering an appeal.

The British Competition Appeal Tribunal delivered his judgment on Friday. The CAT agreed with Apple’s arguments that the CMA had no right to open its investigation. Apple stated that the CMA waited too long to do so. Section 313B of the UK Enterprise Act 2002 states that the CMA must submit its proposal for an investigation and begin its consultation period within a certain period of time after publishing an initial notice. The market regulator has exceeded those deadlines.

The CMA says in a statement that it is disappointed with the CAT ruling. The regulator states that the ruling ‘undermines’ the regulator’s ability to efficiently and effectively investigate markets and intervene where necessary. “Given the importance of today’s ruling, we will consider our options, including seeking permission to appeal,” a spokesperson for the regulator said. Apple welcomes the ruling.

The market watchdog started its investigation in November last year. The study focused on the extent to which Apple and Google parent company Alphabet ‘dominate’ the mobile browser market. The CMA also looked at the extent to which Apple would restrict cloud gaming services in the App Store for iOS. Alphabet was not involved in Apple’s appeal against the CMA.