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Francesco Liberatore

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In our earlier blog on recent changes affecting the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), we anticipated more changes to come. The month of March has lived up to our expectations. On 12 March, the CMA launched a “call for evidence” for the review of its approach to merger remedies as well as a “Mergers Charter” for businesses, stating that:

“Both the merger remedies review and the Mergers Charter are part of the CMA’s programme of work to implement the ‘4Ps’ – pace, predictability, proportionality and process – across all its work, helping to drive growth and enhance business and investor confidence.”[1]Continue Reading Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes… Part 2

By repeating “ch-ch-ch-ch-changes” in his famous song, David Bowie was reportedly trying to mirror the stuttered steps of growth. January 2025 was a month full of changes for the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). As with any changes, it is difficult to predict their effect precisely, only time will tell. Although we do not have a crystal ball, however, our longstanding and in-depth experience in UK competition law gives us unique insights on what to expect and most importantly how to adapt. In this update, we will cover some of these key changes including:   

  • The entry into force of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) and related updated guidance.
  • An anticipated reform of the UK concurrency regime to extend to consumer protection.
  • The exercise by the CMA of its new DMCCA powers to designate companies with Strategic Market Status (SMS).
  • Last but not least, perhaps the changes that grabbed the headlines the most: the CMA has a new interim Chairperson and the UK government’s “steer” to the CMA’s CEO.

Continue Reading Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes… for the UK Competition and Markets Authority

Collaboration is a core value of our firm’s client service. Daily our lawyers with in-depth experience in different practice areas collaborate with each other to find joined-up and multi-faceted solutions to the legal issues facing our clients. This is particularly so in the field of online safety, where several legal regimes overlap. We have already…

The Digital Services Act (DSA) entered into full force on 17 February 2024. This is a monumental EU regulation, containing 93 articles and 156 recitals, which is intended to impose:

  • A framework for the conditional exemption from liability of providers of online intermediary services (i.e. companies that are conduits for, cache or host third-party online
…

What is the PSTI?

It is a new UK legislation which aims to regulate cyber security for home networks and IoT devices. It applies together with The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) Regulations 2023 (“The Regulations”).

When does the PSTI enter into force?

29 April 2024.

What products does…

We originally published an in July 2022, and have refreshed the article to include new information below.

There is increasing public pressure on internet companies to intervene with content moderation, particularly to tackle disinformation, harmful speech, copyright infringement, sexual abuse, automation and bias, terrorism and violent extremism. The new Online Safety Act is the British response to such public demand.

The Online Safety Act received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023, giving Ofcom powers as online safety regulator in the UK. Online platforms around the world will get the first detail of requirements for complying with the Online Safety Act on 9 November, when Ofcom says it will publish its first draft codes of practice and enforcement guidance for consultation. Ofcom has published a timeline with a comprehensive implementation schedule extending over three years.Continue Reading UPDATED BLOGPOST: Online Safety in Digital Markets Needs a Joined-Up Approach with Competition Law in the UK

Burn After Reading is a black comedy spy movie by the Coen brothers. It could also be an extreme encapsulation of the core of data retention rules applicable to communications providers: data should only be kept for as long as:

  • There is an administrative need to keep it to carry out your business or support functions (e.g. billing); or
  • It is required to demonstrate compliance for audit purposes or for legislative requirements (e.g. in case of an order to intercept communications for law enforcement).

Continue Reading Burn After Reading… Data Retention Compliance

The Digital Markets Act, Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 was published on 12 October 2022 in the Official Journal of the EU.

Despite the mounting controversy around the DMA and its interplay with existing EU competition and privacy rules, the DMA establishes far-reaching obligations and prohibitions for large online platforms that act as ‘gatekeepers’ who will be facing stringent compliance requirements under the rules.Continue Reading DMA: EU Publishes The New Digital Markets Act

There is increasing public pressure on internet companies to intervene with content moderation, particularly to tackle disinformation, harmful speech, copyright infringement, sexual abuse, automation and bias, terrorism and violent extremism. The new UK Online Safety Bill (as introduced in the UK Parliament on 17 March 2022) is the British response to such public demand.
Continue Reading Online Safety in Digital Markets Needs a Joined Up Approach with Competition Law in the UK