Apple’s strong quarterly profits are being called into question as a growing group of advocates point out the cost of these gains: limited browser choice for iPhone users. The Open Web Advocacy group has raised concerns that Apple’s monopoly over iOS browsers is hindering competition and innovation, despite pressure from regulators. 
One of the main complaints is that, despite the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) compelling Apple to open up to third-party browser engines, users still face a lack of real options.
Under the Digital Markets Act, Apple was forced to allow non-WebKit-based browsers for iOS 17.4, but critics argue that the company has only taken minimal steps to comply. Even in Europe, where regulations are most stringent, iPhone users are still waiting for fully-fledged third-party browsers. This slow pace has left users with limited options, and it appears Apple has done just enough to avoid further regulatory action.
The reality, according to web advocates, is that Apple’s complex rules and technical restrictions on browser development are designed to protect the company’s own Safari browser, which is incredibly profitable. Safari is estimated to generate $20 billion annually in search engine revenue from Google alone, and any loss in market share would directly impact Apple’s bottom line. Open Web Advocacy claims that Apple has deliberately created hurdles that make it extremely difficult for other developers to create browsers with their own engines. While companies like Google and Mozilla have expressed intentions to create their own engines, 15 months after the DMA was enacted, no such browsers have appeared on iOS. Apple’s claims that it doesn’t know why this has happened are met with skepticism. It is clear, advocates argue, that the company knows the barriers it has created and has chosen not to remove them.
Apple’s defense, however, is that it is complying with the law and remains committed to providing users with an improved browser experience. But critics say this is merely a smokescreen, as the company continues to safeguard its most lucrative product. As developers and consumers alike demand more choice and better competition, it seems that Apple’s dominance over the mobile browser space may be in for a serious challenge.