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UK Regulator Proposes Easing Apple (AAPL), Google App Store Rules

Ray PriceRay Price 1 min read
UK regulators want to let app developers bypass Apple and Google's payment systems entirely.

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed rules that would let app developers direct users toward payment methods outside the Apple (AAPL) App Store and Google Play, a move aimed squarely at the commissions both platforms charge on in-app purchases. The proposal, published Tuesday, targets what regulators see as artificial restrictions on how developers can transact with their own customers.

At a Glance

  • CMA proposes allowing UK developers to steer users to off-platform payment options
  • Any fees for enabling this steering must be fair, reasonable, and lower than current app store commissions
  • Regulator is also weighing mandatory NFC access on iOS for third-party contactless payment apps
  • Google says it already updated Play Store terms and fee structure earlier this month
  • Apple had not responded to requests for comment at the time of the CMA announcement
A customer taps a smartphone against a contactless payment terminal in a shop.antapp antitrust ruling, Apple App Store fees, Google Play Store policy

What the CMA Is Actually Proposing

The core of the proposal addresses

the practice developers call anti steeringsecurity reviewwhich would let banksfintechsnotablysubject to certain conditionsby contrastincluding App Store commissionsthan Google's doesby comparisonmeaning lower prices aren't guaranteed. The NFC proposalif it moves forwardwithin an app or via linksunder Apple's current App Store rulesparticularly around NFC access

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