London, UK — Today, Gene Burrus, Global Policy Counsel for the Coalition for App Fairness (CAF), issued the following statement in response to the Competition and Markets Authority’s announcement on Apple and Google’s proposed commitments under the UK’s digital markets regime.
“Today’s announcement is unfortunately a gift to Apple and Google. Allowing dominant gatekeepers to set the terms of their own restraint— after years of abusing market power and dodging enforcement, including a US contempt finding against Apple — will not deliver real competition.
Unless the CMA tackles the real barriers by opening up alternative app stores and allowing developers to point users to cheaper options, this approach will lock in higher prices, less choice, and a weaker UK startup ecosystem.”
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The Coalition for App Fairness is an independent nonprofit organization formed to protect consumer choice, foster competition, and create a level playing field for all app and game developers globally. Originally formed by Basecamp, Blix, Blockchain.com, Deezer, Epic Games, the European Publishers Council, Match Group, News Media Europe, Prepear, Proton, Skydemon, Spotify, and Life360, CAF has rapidly grown from 13 to over 80 members since launching in September 2020. CAF offers membership to companies of any size — join today at appfairness.org.