It’s been 16 months since the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) allowed developers, like Google and Mozilla, to use their own browser engines on iOS. However, Apple continues to impose technical and financial barriers that hinder competition.
The Open Web Advocacy (OWA), a group of software engineers dedicated to promoting an open internet, points out these challenges. They highlight that developers face a lack of adequate testing tools outside the US and stringent legal terms. Moreover, Apple requires developers to create entirely new apps for their engines instead of permitting updates to existing ones. This means developers have to start over with their user base in Europe, effectively losing their existing audience.
Mozilla has expressed disappointment with these restrictions. A spokesperson stated that Apple’s rules make it overly complicated for developers to offer competitive alternatives to Safari, limiting consumers’ choices. They argue this situation creates unnecessary barriers to genuine browser competition on iOS.
In an attempt to comply with the DMA, Apple added support for non-WebKit browsers in iOS 17.4. However, the OWA insists that the way Apple has implemented this still doesn’t meet the DMA’s intent.
The stakes for Apple are high. The OWA suggests that Safari generates about $20 billion annually in search revenue from Google, which is a significant portion of Apple’s profits. Losing even a small market share could cost them up to $200 million a year.
Moreover, Apple is under scrutiny from UK regulators, who are also calling for more competition in the mobile browser space. An investigation revealed that both Apple and Google are inhibiting innovation in mobile browsers.
As the discussion around browser competition heats up, it’s crucial to keep an eye on how these developments play out. The outcome could redefine not only consumer choices but also the tech landscape in general.
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