UK regulator consults on Apple and Google mobile platform rules

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UK regulator mobile platform rules

Highlights

The UK Competition and Markets Authority is consulting on draft conduct rules for Apple and Google to lift bans and limits on developers steering users toward off-platform payment options.
Proposed steering rules require any fees charged by Apple and Google to be fair and reasonable, with expectations they will be lower than current app store charges and result in consumer benefits or developer reinvestment.
The CMA may mandate broader developer access to near field communication functionality, potentially increasing UK fintech competition and expanding contactless payment options beyond Apple’s ecosystem.

Consultation targets app payments and platform fees

As reported by GOV.UK, the Competition and Markets Authority is consulting on draft conduct requirements for Apple and Google under the UK digital markets competition regime, focusing on restrictions that stop app developers from steering customers away from the companies’ own payment systems.

Steering, the ability for developers to communicate with users about off-platform purchasing options, is currently banned by Apple and restricted by Google in the UK. The CMA says removing those limits would let developers bypass mandatory platform fees, while proposed principles would require any steering charges imposed by Apple and Google to be fair and reasonable.

The regulator says its evidence-based framework expects steering fees to be lower than current app store charges. It adds that any savings should either be passed on to UK consumers through lower prices or reinvested by developers to support future innovation.

Will Hayter, executive director for digital markets, says the consultation is intended to give both app developers and users more choice over how they communicate and transact outside the app stores.

NFC access proposal could widen fintech competition

Separately, the CMA is designing a potential requirement to give developers access to near field communication functionality after businesses raised concerns about Apple’s fees and terms. The change would allow UK fintech groups and other developers to support contactless transactions and could open the way for new payment methods.

The speech outlining the plans comes 18 months after the launch of the UK digital markets competition regime. During that period, the CMA has completed three strategic market status investigations, opened a fourth into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem, imposed three conduct requirements for Google search, and secured commitments from Apple and Google related to mobile services.

Our earlier coverage of the FCA’s revised UK crypto regime explained how the regulator is softening parts of its planned rulebook to better balance consumer protection with sector growth. We noted the updated framework lowers capital requirements for stablecoin issuers and crypto trading firms, with the rollout set for October 2027 and applications opening September 30, aiming to boost confidence and bring more UK users into the crypto market.

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