LONDON — A British regulatory body has expressed concerns that Apple and Google are not providing consumers with real options when it comes to mobile web browsers. In a report released on Friday, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) suggested that the two companies could be investigated under new digital regulations set to be implemented in the U.K. next year.

The CMA specifically took aim at Apple, arguing that the company’s strategies hinder innovation by preventing competitors from offering users enhancements such as quicker webpage loading times. According to the report, Apple limits the capabilities of progressive web applications, which can function without being downloaded from an app store and do not incur app store fees.

The regulator’s provisional report, following an initial inquiry that indicated Apple and Google have a significant grip over mobile ecosystems, stated that “this technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices.” Furthermore, it concluded that both companies are manipulating users’ choices, making their own browsers seem like the most straightforward or accessible options.

Additionally, the report highlighted a revenue-sharing agreement between Apple and Google that diminishes their competitive incentives in the mobile browser space on Apple’s iOS platform.

Apple has expressed its disagreement with the report’s conclusions, warning that the recommended actions might jeopardize user privacy and security. “We will continue to engage constructively with the CMA as their work on this matter progresses,” Apple noted in its statement.

Google has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the findings. This development is part of a broader trend by regulators in the U.S. and U.K. to challenge the market dominance of major tech companies. Recently, U.S. federal authorities unveiled their intentions to push Google to divest its Chrome browser as part of efforts to address its monopolistic control over online searches.

The CMA is expected to release its final report by March, and it has indicated plans to utilize the new digital competition framework, which introduces enhanced powers to regulate tech firms, to pursue further investigation into Apple and Google’s operations in mobile ecosystems.