The competition watchdog is plagued with a knee-jerk belief that ‘big is bad’ July 19, 2023 The CMA's u-turn on the Microsoft/Activision deal is a sign that the competition regulator might be starting to understand its approach to Big Tech will bring no good to the UK, writes Cento Veljanovski
Countdown on for Microsoft and Activision as they try to extend deal deadline July 18, 2023 Time is ticking for Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, which are reportedly in discussions to extend the deadline for their proposed multi-billion pound tie up. Originally set to be closed by today, the deal may now require more time as the two tech companies work to address regulatory concerns, according to sources close to Reuters. If [...]
National Audit Office launches probe into FCA as regulator sizes up crypto and AI July 17, 2023 The National Audit Office (NAO) has launched a probe into the functions of the City regulator as its remit swells to take on oversight of technologies like cryptoassets and artificial intelligence.
Microsoft pens agreement to keep Call of Duty on Playstation after Activision mega-deal July 17, 2023 Microsoft has signed an agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said in a tweet. A deal to keep Call of Duty on Playstation could further ease concerns surrounding the acquisition’s impact on competition. Speaking on the agreement, Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a tweet, “Even after we cross the finish line [...]
Shapps to ask supermarkets to ‘explain themselves’ over pump price hikes July 16, 2023 Supermarket bosses are set for showdown talks with the government next week over soaring prices at the pumps. Energy Secretary Grant Shapps will meet with chiefs from Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Tesco, with the minister vowing to slam “the brakes down on the mistreatment of motorists.” In a column in The Sun, Shapps said he [...]
ITV ‘no longer’ exploring £1bn bid for Fleabag maker All3Media July 14, 2023 ITV has pulled out of a potential acquisition of All3Media, amid concerns any deal would not represent fair value for money.
UK announces in-depth probe of Adobe’s $20bn Figma deal July 13, 2023 Britain’s antitrust regulator on Thursday announced an in-depth probe of Adobe’s $20 billion bid for cloud-based designer platform Figma, after the Photoshop owner said it would not offer any remedies to ease the regulator’s concerns. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said late last month it had found the deal could lead to less choice [...]
CMA outlines next steps for Microsoft and Activision as firms work to clear deal July 12, 2023 Microsoft and Activsion would have to present a new revised deal to the UK’s competition authority if it is to reconsider the multi-billion pound takeover deal, the agency said today. “While the merging parties do not have the opportunity to submit new solutions once a final report has been issued, they can choose to restructure [...]
FCA chief: AI could disrupt financial services ‘at a scale not seen before’ July 12, 2023 The chief of the Financial Conduct Authority has said that artificial intelligence could disrupt the financial services sector in “ways and at a scale not seen before”, warning that the regulator would look to take action against AI-based scams.
A legal puzzle: How to solve the post-Brexit Northern Ireland border July 12, 2023 Barnabas Reynolds is a partner at Shearman & Sterling LLP and the co-author of Mutual Enforcement, a recent publication by Centre for Brexit Policy. In this guest essay he makes the case that the UK can only solve the Northern Ireland border issue by drawing up an entirely new solution. It is sometimes possible to [...]