United Kingdom: Competition and Markets Authority published Google's voluntarily commitments on app distribution

On 23 April 2026, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published Google's commitments on application (app) distribution. Google committed to a series of obligations to the CMA concerning the operation of Google Play, covering app review, app ranking, and the use of third-party developer data. The commitments apply to all UK-based app developers publishing on the Play platform and require Google to conduct app reviews and rankings fairly, objectively, and on a non-discriminatory basis, with first-party and third-party apps subject to the same algorithmic treatment. Google must not use non-public Play data to support its own first-party app development, and must enforce technical access controls to prevent unauthorised internal data use. Across all three areas, Google is obliged to publish annual UK transparency reports, hold at least one developer roundtable per year, and maintain accessible complaints and appeals channels, including independent mediation through the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution. Google will also submit a confidential annual compliance report to the CMA, with the first report due by 30 September 2026.