Google Challenges UK Regulator’s Market Dominance Designation for Mobile Ecosystem
Google has pushed back against the UK competition regulator’s designation of its mobile platform with strategic market status. The company argues Android and Chrome were designed to increase consumer choice rather than restrict competition.
Regulatory Designation Under New Powers
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has formally designated Google’s mobile platform with Strategic Market Status under the Competition and Consumers Act 2024, according to reports. Sources indicate this designation covers Google’s Android operating system, Play Store, Chrome browser, and Blink engine. The new regulatory regime, which took effect January 1, 2025, reportedly grants the CMA expanded powers aimed at ensuring fair treatment for consumers and businesses.