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The CMA's digital markets regime: what it means for consumer apps and platforms start-ups
How do the CMA's app store rules affect consumer apps?
Updated 6 November 2026 from public records. 11 items below.
At a glance
- 11 records from the last 120 days, 4 naming consumer apps and platforms directly
- Next consultation closes 13 November 2026
- Most active: Competition and Markets Authority
- Latest record: 6 November 2026
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 lets the Competition and Markets Authority give the biggest tech firms "strategic market status" and then set rules for how they treat everyone else in their market. It has already used the power on Apple's and Google's mobile platforms and Google's search, and has proposed it for Microsoft's business software. For a start-up that builds on, or competes with, one of those firms, each new rule can open a door or close one. The Act on legislation.gov.uk.
What it means for your start-up
Apple and Google now have strategic market status for their mobile platforms, so the CMA can set rules on how their app stores treat other developers: how apps are reviewed and ranked, whether you can tell users about cheaper ways to pay, and what fees apply. For a consumer app those terms shape both margins and how users find you.
What to do now
- Work out what the app stores cost you today in fees and lost sales, so you can judge each proposed rule.
- Watch the CMA's mobile platforms work for changes to steering, payments and app review.
- Respond to its consultations with your own numbers. Developer evidence is what the CMA uses to decide.
Open for comment now
- Proposed decision: SMS investigation into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) invites comments on its proposed decision to designate Microsoft as having strategic market status (SMS) in respect of its business software ecosystem.
Latest from government
Marked: mentions consumer apps directly.
- Apple’s mobile platform
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated Apple as having strategic market status (SMS) in the provision of its mobile platform. - Google’s mobile platform
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated Google as having strategic market status (SMS) in the provision of its mobile platform. - Google's general search and search advertising services
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated Google as having strategic market status (SMS) in respect of its provision of general search and search advertising services. - Subscription contracts
Guidance for businesses and consumers on business-to-consumer subscription contracts under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. - CMA takes first steps to ensure choice in business software
CMA proposes to designate Microsoft with strategic market status in its business software ecosystem.
In Parliament
Marked: mentions consumer apps directly.
- What assessment he has made of the potential competition impact of major digital platforms requiring business customers to accept contractual provisions…
Asked by Rebecca Paul (Con). Social Media: Competition — The Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential competition impact described. Responsibility for investigating competition issues in digital… - What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that online platforms effectively identify and remove misleading advertisements relating to pet health and…
Asked by Dan Norris (Ind). Pet Foods: Misleading Advertising — The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions and omissions, that… - What assessment he has made of the potential impact of fraudulent locksmith advertising on (a) consumers and (b) legitimate locksmith businesses.
Asked by Alex Brewer (LD). Locks and Keys: Advertising — The government is aware of concerns about fraudulent locksmiths advertising and the harm it causes consumers and legitimate locksmith businesses. The Digital… - What steps he is taking to prevent online marketplaces from selling counterfeit goods that undercut legitimate retailers in town centres.
Asked by Imogen Walker (Lab). Counterfeit Manufacturing: Sales — The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 prohibits online marketplaces misleading consumers through false or misleading presentation,… - What steps his Department is taking to ensure the Competition and Markets Authority releases a public roadmap for its Strategic Market Status investigation…
Asked by Mr Joshua Reynolds (LD). Microsoft — The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is operationally independent of Government and is responsible for conducting Strategic Market Status (SMS) investigations. The…
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Related guides
- What do the CMA's digital markets rules mean for software?
- Does the Online Safety Act apply to my app?
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0. General information, not legal advice.