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

On 22 October 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its final decision designating Apple as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. The designation covers Apple’s smartphone and tablet operating systems (iOS and iPadOS), native app distribution (App Store), and mobile browser and browser engine (Safari and WebKit). The CMA concluded that these interconnected services form a single digital activity, Apple’s Mobile Platform, through which users access and engage with digital content and services on mobile devices. The SMS designation, effective from 23 October 2025 to 22 October 2030, gives the CMA powers to oversee Apple’s conduct in these areas.