Apple could be holding back innovation in smartphone browsers, according to a British regulatory report, which recommended that Apple's and Google's duopoly in mobile ecosystems should be investigated with its new powers.

An independent inquiry group in the British Competition and Markets Authority on Friday recommended an investigation into Apple and Google over their dominance of mobile web browsers and apps in the country.

A UK inquiry has found that Apple’s policies are "holding back innovation in the browsers we use to access the web on mobile phones."