LONDON (Reuters: Google and Apple hold a “vice like” grasp over the way people use their mobile phones. This, according to Britain’s competition regulator, strips customers of any real choice.

According to The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), it has been prognosticated that these two organizations were capable of leveraging their market power and creating largely independent ecosystems. The CMA stated that the ability to identify which apps are on their platforms could lead to increased prices.

With the establishment of the Digital Markets Unit in December, the regulator set its sights on large tech companies. It recently announced that Meta, the owner of Facebook (NASDAQ):, would need to sell Giphy. Giphy is a popular animation platform which it acquired in 2020.

The company said Tuesday that it was now reviewing its initial research about Apple (NASDAQ:), and will be seeking responses no later than February 7. It anticipates that it will issue its final report in June 2012.

Andrea Coscelli Chief Executive at the CMA stated, “Apple and Google now have a vice-like grip on mobile phone usage and it’s causing millions across the UK to be left behind.”

CMA reported a number of possible solutions that may address the problems it identified. This includes making it easier to switch between Apple iOS and Google Android smartphones without losing any data or functionality.

The company is also investigating whether apps could be installed using other methods than Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store.