Competition watchdog escalates probe into Vodafone-Three tie-up April 4, 2024 The competition watchdog's formal phase two review will investigate whether the deal could harm competition in the UK's telecoms sector.
Issa brothers’ Asda takeover hits roadblock as watchdog probes petrol station competition concerns April 20, 2021 The UK’s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into the acquisition of Asda by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital over concerns that it could drive up petrol prices. The companies have said they will work with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to find a resolution within the first stage of the probe. The [...]
UK competition regulator secures commitments from Google on third-party cookies June 11, 2021 The UK’s competition watchdog has said it has secured commitments from Google on its proposal to remove third-party cookies from its Chrome browser. Third-party cookies are used by digital advertising companies to personalise and target advertising. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the commitments came after it took action in January over concerns Google’s [...]
CMA: UK businesses have until New Year to clean up greenwashing claims September 20, 2021 The UK’s competition watchdog has today given British businesses a deadline of the end of the year to resolve any misleading green marketing claims – so-called “greenwashing” – to avoid regulatory action. At the beginning of 2022, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will carry out a full review of the environmental declarations made [...]
£31bn Virgin Media and O2 merger given final green light by UK competition watchdog May 20, 2021 £31bn Virgin Media and O2 merger given green light by UK competition watchdog
French regulator fines Google €220m over advertising practices June 7, 2021 Google has agreed to pay €220m to settle a French investigation over its abuse of power in online advertising. The French Competition Authority said Google has been unfairly sending business to its advertising server and its online advertising auction house, at an unfair advantage to its rivals. It came after a complaint lodged by Rupert [...]
Crackdowns on tech mergers will only serve to deter British entrepreneurs October 18, 2021 What if Facebook had never bought Instagram? This question keeps competition regulators like the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) up at night. In 2012, Instagram had just 30m users, 13 employees, and made no money. The $1bn valuation was mocked and appeared to many to be the sign of a tech bubble ready to burst. [...]
£880,000 fine for Leicester City confirmed by watchdog July 31, 2023 The Competition and Markets Authority has confirmed the sanctions it has imposed on Championship club Leicester City and JD Sports as part of a case relating to shirt restrictions. A fine of £880,000 has been imposed on the 2015-16 Premier League champions while JD’s decision to report the conduct to the CMA sees them benefit [...]
UK trade bodies rebel against ‘cartel-like’ shipping costs October 19, 2021 Make UK, the trade body representing UK manufacturers, has called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to open an investigation into the shipping sector’s “cartel-like practices” when it comes to the increase in prices. Writing a letter to the CMA alongside the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), Make UK has said that the “increase [...]
Big tech may be forced to pay for UK journalism as Dorries pushes new laws January 31, 2022 Tech giants may be forced to pay British newspapers for their stories as Westminster draws up new plans to clamp down on the likes of Google and Meta.