Overview

• Apple called the Competition and Markets Authority’s EU‑style proposals “bad for users and bad for developers,” arguing they weaken privacy and security, stifle innovation, and force it to give technology to foreign rivals.
• The company signaled it may hold back features in the UK rather than open its operating system, noting it already withheld iPhone mirroring and Mac Live Activities in the EU and delayed Apple Intelligence there.
• The CMA rejected Apple’s portrayal, saying its approach differs from the EU’s and is intended to boost competition for UK developers and ensure consumers benefit from innovation without compromising privacy, security, or intellectual property.
• The UK proposals under consideration would curb anti‑steering rules, expand access for alternative digital wallets, and increase data available to third‑party smartwatches.
• No new rules have taken effect, and earlier this month the CMA closed existing Competition Act cases into Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store as it transitions to the new digital markets regime.