UK Regulator Moves To Loosen Apple, Google App Store Payment Restrictions

Britain’s competition regulator moves to loosen Apple and Google app store payment restrictions to boost competition and lower developer fees.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the planned measures would remove existing barriers that stop developers from guiding customers to external payment options. While Apple currently prohibits such practices, Google permits them only under limited conditions.

According to the regulator, if Apple or Google impose charges for enabling developers to redirect users to alternative payment platforms, those fees must be reasonable, significantly lower than existing app store commissions, and designed to benefit consumers or encourage further innovation.

The CMA is also weighing a proposal that would require Apple to provide broader access to its near-field communication (NFC) technology. Such a move could enable developers to integrate contactless payment features directly into their own iOS applications, reducing reliance on Apple’s payment system.

Responding to the proposals, Google said it had already implemented many of the suggested changes. The company noted that revised Google Play Store policies introduced earlier this month now allow developers to guide users to complete purchases outside the platform, although certain conditions still apply. Google also highlighted updates to its app store fee structure.

Apple had not issued a response to the regulator’s proposals at the time of publication.