Apple and Google Pledge Measures to Improve App Store Fairness

To make the marketplaces more equitable and open to outside developers, Apple and Google have decided to implement four modifications to their respective app shops. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced the announcement on Tuesday in response to concerns regarding the company’s duopoly in the mobile application market. The changes include measures to improve transparency in app reviews, increase the objectivity and nondiscrimination of app rankings on the App Store and Play Store, protect acquired data, and provide interoperability features. These pledges also aim to reduce the “effective duopoly” of the tech giants and provide a more equitable environment for independent developers. 

CMA stated in a news release that Google and Apple have decided to immediately enhance their respective marketplaces in order to guarantee openness and equity for third-party apps and developers. Three of these modifications are applicable to both organisations, while Apple is subject to a particular compatibility change. The UK watchdog said it will keep a careful eye on how the improvements are being implemented and will make its findings public. It is currently looking for feedback on these promises.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, following the designation of Apple and Google’s mobile platforms in October of last year, stated that the CMA has acted quickly to secure a package of commitments from Apple and Google that will boost the UK’s app economy, giving developers the opportunity and confidence they need to invest and innovate.

Google and Apple have both committed to conducting fair, impartial, and open reviews of apps that are submitted to their markets. They have also promised not to discriminate against apps that are competitors of their own. Additionally, the firms have committed to ensuring that app rankings are conducted with the same level of due research.

Third, Google and Apple have both committed to protecting and not abusing the app data they gather from developers during the app review process. Lastly, the iPhone manufacturer will facilitate developers’ requests for interoperable access to iOS and iPadOS functionalities. The tech giant from Cupertino has committed to giving the requests a fair and impartial review.

Data regarding the percentage of apps that are submitted for review, accepted, denied, and appealed will also be shared by both businesses. In addition, the App Store and the Play Store will disclose the duration of app reviews, the quantity of complaints they receive, and the resolutions of those concerns. Additionally, Apple will provide information on the timeliness, results, and interoperability requests that were received.

The CMA stated that it will impose formal “conduct requirements” if either of the corporations is unable to carry out the promises successfully.

“We welcome the chance to work together to address the CMA’s concerns, even though we think Play’s current developer processes are reasonable, impartial, and open. To make sure developers are aware of the wide range of options on Google Play, Google stated in a blog post that its proposed voluntary commitments will continue to offer openness on our app review, ranking, and data usage policies and procedures.

The four particular pledges are outlined below:

• Transparent App Reviews: To avoid giving their own first-party apps preferential consideration, both businesses must make sure that app reviews are impartial, fair, and free of discrimination.
• Unbiased App Ranking: To guarantee that third-party apps can compete on an even playing field, rankings in the App Store and Google Play Store must be determined by objective standards.
• Data safeguards: Both companies pledged to keep developer data that was gathered throughout the review process private and to refrain from using it to give their own products a competitive edge.
• Improved Interoperability (Apple-specific): Apple will make it simpler for developers to access iOS and iPadOS functionalities, which might lead to greater integration for rival services like translation software and digital wallets.

The CMA will be keeping an eye on metrics like app approval rates and review times to make sure compliance is maintained till when these rules fully go into effect in the next quarter in 2026, particularly from April 1st.