UPDATED: Small app developers appreciate the CMA’s pause on consideration of concerning alternate app distribution, other issues remain

LONDON, UK – ACT | The App Association continues to have concerns with the unintended consequences of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA’s) proposed roadmaps for Apple’s and Google’s mobile ecosystems under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA). The roadmaps do acknowledge the concerns of small app developers with the pause on requiring access for third party app stores and sideloading.

Small technology and software companies are the main driver of the £38.4 billion app economy, supporting 400,000 jobs across all sectors of UK industry. (More on the strength of the UK app economy can be found in our “The App Economy in Europe” report, as referenced by CMA.)

In a statement from Stephen Tulip, UK country manager for ACT | The App Association:

‘Today’s proposals still have significant issues for small developers, however, it’s worth noting that the CMA, with its pause on third party app stores and sideloading, recognizes the potential harm alternative app distribution methods pose for consumers’ security and trust in curated online marketplaces (COMs). Our UK members, and other small developers like them, depend on the trust that consumers have in COMs, and the App Association is strongly opposed to any policy action that would erode that trust. We are concerned about potential security risks related to proposed AI and interoperability interventions and look forward to technical details about these.

‘Small app developers also rely on the tools and infrastructure that COMs provide, like data security, subscription management, and privacy protection, to offload overhead costs and enable even small companies or solo developers to build and distribute apps to potential customers around the world, competing with much larger, more resourced companies.

‘Calls for these problematic interventions are coming from huge, multi-national companies with billions in revenue each year, while only representing a miniscule portion of app companies in the marketplace. Small tech companies have built the vibrant and competitive app economy that these larger companies benefit from and should continue to be the first and most trusted voices heard.

‘We look forward to engaging with the CMA on these roadmaps to ensure they deliver for all developers in the ecosystem, not just the handful of billion-dollar brands that are able to make the most noise.’

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*UPDATED: 13:31 ET