Apple makes four major commitments to developers in response to UK antitrust investigation

IT Home, February 10 — According to technology media 9To5Mac today, the tech giants Apple and Google have made four commitments to third-party developers in response to an investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The investigation primarily targets Apple, with regulatory agencies worldwide accusing Apple of abusing its dominant market position in two main areas:

Third-party developers’ applications can only be sold through Apple’s own App Store, effectively constituting a monopoly on iPhone app distribution.

Favoring its own applications within the system and continuously suppressing competing products.

Apple’s commitments mainly address the second accusation. The UK regulators are seeking public input to assess whether these commitments are sufficient.

IT Home has listed the four commitments made by Apple as follows:

Review process: Ensure that the App Store review process is fair, objective, and transparent, without discriminating against competing products or giving preferential treatment to Apple’s own applications.

Ranking method: Ensure that the evaluation of App Store rankings is fair, objective, and transparent, without discrimination against competing apps or favoritism toward Apple’s own applications.

Data collection: Ensure that application data obtained from third-party developers during the review process is properly protected and not unfairly exploited.

Interoperability: Make it easier for developers to access exclusive features of the iOS operating system, accelerate interoperability, and help companies clearly offer innovative products and services to UK consumers. Apple must handle these requests fairly and objectively.

It is reported that the deadline for public comments on this consultation draft is March 3, and Apple must implement the above measures by April 1.