Aug 21 (Reuters) - Britain's competition watchdog has

closed its existing investigations into Apple ( AAPL ) and

Google's respective app stores, awaiting new laws

governing digital markets.

The tech giants have faced scrutiny around the world over

the dominance of their respective App Store and Google Play

store platforms, which critics say impose unfair charges on app

developers and limit competition.

In 2022, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

published a market study of mobile ecosystems in Britain, which

found Apple ( AAPL ) and Google held an effective monopoly over the

distribution of apps in Britain.

The body subsequently launched parallel investigations into

both companies for alleged anticompetitive behaviour.

But in a statement published on Wednesday, the CMA said it

had dropped both probes, pending the roll-out of the Digital

Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA), which is

expected to come into force later this year.

"Once the new pro-competition digital markets regime comes

into force, we'll be able to consider applying those new powers

to concerns we have already identified through our existing

work," said Will Hayter, Executive Director for Digital Markets

at the CMA.

A Google spokesperson said its Android operating system had

always allowed flexibility and choice not found on other

platforms, including multiple app stores.

"We have engaged with the CMA over the course of many months

during their investigation. As part of this, we made a number of

significant commitments to further broaden the billing options

available to developers through Google Play," they said.

Apple ( AAPL ) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.