Sideloading Sidestepped: The UK’s “Light-Touch” Gamble on the Apple-Google Duopoly

The report contrasts the UK CMA’s decision to accept voluntary commitments from Apple and Google—aimed at fairer app store practices, ranking transparency, data use, and interoperability—with the EU’s stricter DMA requirements mandating sideloading and reduced fees. It notes the CMA will track metrics like app rejection rates, review times, and developer complaints, reserving the option to impose mandatory rules if commitments are not met, while Apple and Google publicly welcomed the collaborative approach amid broader geopolitical considerations.