UK CMA Consults on Letting Developers Steer Users to Payments Outside Apple and Google App Stores

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Tuesday launched a public consultation proposing to allow app developers to direct users to payment channels outside Apple’s and Google’s app stores, aiming to reduce fees and boost competition, according to 36Kr. The CMA said Apple currently fully bans developers in the UK from steering users around its in-app payment system, while Google previously imposed certain restrictions. The proposed measures would remove these limits and allow developers to communicate external payment options directly to users.