The UK’s competition authority has instructed Apple to foster an environment of free and open competition among iPhone web browsers, while also stating that Safari should not outperform its rivals.
In response, Apple has stated that providing new features in WebKit “would result in free-riding” by developers of rival browsers…
A brief summary
The situation began in the EU, where an investigation concluded that Apple violated competition laws by mandating developers of competing browsers to utilize WebKit, thereby limiting their ability to optimize their code and provide features that Safari does not support. In essence, competing browsers were merely variations of the same foundational code.
In reaction, Apple permitted third-party browsers to use their own engines and allowed users to select their preferred default web browser during the initial setup of their devices.
Subsequently, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) began its own investigation, reaching a preliminary conclusion that mirrored the EU’s findings late last year.
Moreover, it indicated that if Apple introduced new features for its own WebKit engine, those features should also be accessible to other developers.
Apple’s response to the UK regulatory body
Apple asserted that it could not afford to provide new web browsing features to other developers without charge, as doing so would stifle its innovation process. Reuters covered the iPhone maker’s disclosure to the CMA.
Apple stated that it would be “inappropriate” to require future WebKit or iOS features utilized by Safari to be offered at no cost, emphasizing that developing features is a labor-intensive and resource-consuming endeavor.
“Apple cannot recover a reasonable share of those expenditures… to do so would dampen Apple’s motivation to innovate and result in free-riding and insufficient investment from third parties.”
Insights from DMN
Apple’s assertion that it can’t afford to innovate under these circumstances seems rather implausible. Nonetheless, the company does have a valid point. Initially, Apple mandated developers to use WebKit, claiming it was for the sake of platform security, whereas regulatory authorities suggested it was to prevent competing browsers from surpassing Safari.
Having now opened the door for developers to create their own browsing engines and enabling authentic competition for the first time, Apple is now being instructed to share its own advancements in browser technology with competitors.
The UK’s CMA appears to desire both genuine browser competition and a scenario where Apple cannot emerge victorious.
Photo by Joan Gamell on Unsplash
