United Kingdom: Competition and Markets Authority designated Google as having strategic market status in mobile platforms

On 22 October 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its final decision designating Google as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. The designation applies to Google’s mobile platform, which includes its mobile operating system (Android), native app distribution (Play Store), and mobile browser and browser engine (Chrome and Blink). The CMA found that these interconnected services constitute a single digital activity, Google’s Mobile Platform, through which users access and interact with digital content and services on mobile devices. The designation, effective from 23 October 2025 to 22 October 2030, grants the CMA oversight powers over Google’s conduct. The CMA may review, extend, or revoke the designation before its expiry and issue revised notices if there are material changes in Google’s operations.