Apple wins appeal against British investigation into mobile browser market dominance

Apple has won its appeal against an investigation by the UK market regulator. That CMA examined Apple and Alphabet for their dominance in mobile web browsers. The investigation is hereby suspended. The CMA is considering an appeal.

The British Competition Appeal Tribunal passed judgment on Friday. That CAT went along with Apple’s arguments that the CMA had no right to open its investigation. Apple argued that the CMA waited too long to do so. Section 313B of the UK Enterprise Act 2002 states that within a certain period of time after the publication of an initial notice, the CMA must submit its proposal for an investigation and begin its consultation period. The market regulator has exceeded those deadlines.

The CMA says in a statement that it is disappointed in the ruling of the CAT. The regulator argues that the ruling “undermines” the regulator’s ability to efficiently and effectively investigate markets and intervene where necessary. “Given the importance of today’s ruling, we will consider our options, including seeking permission to appeal,” said a spokesman for the regulator. Apple welcomes the ruling.

The market watchdog started its investigation in November last year. The research focused on the extent to which Apple and Google parent company Alphabet “dominate” the mobile browser market. The CMA also looked at the extent to which Apple would restrict cloud gaming services in the App Store for iOS. Alphabet was not involved in Apple’s appeal against the CMA.