Overview
- The Competition and Markets Authority launched a consultation on June 30 proposing draft rules to let app developers steer users to off‑platform payment methods and to examine opening iPhone near‑field communication (NFC) to third parties.
- The CMA said any fee charged by Apple or Google for permitting steering must be justified, be lower than existing app‑store commissions, and deliver savings to consumers or be reinvested in apps.
- Apple has warned the changes would weaken its fraud protections and open the door to scams and circumvention of parental controls, while Google says it has already relaxed Play Store restrictions to allow some steering.
- The consultation runs into late July and the CMA — using powers granted under the UK digital markets regime after designating both firms as having strategic market status — could impose formal conduct requirements before the end of the year.
- Campaign groups and studies cite Apple and Google commissions of roughly 25–30% as an 'app tax' that raises costs for users and squeezes developers, and the CMA says the proposals could spur fintech competition, lower prices and change how contactless payments work on iPhones.