CMA provisional findings may lead to Facebook being forced to sell Giphy

On 12 August 2021, The Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) announced its provisional findings that Facebook’s completed acquisition of Giphy is likely to harm competition between social media platforms and between digital display advertising players.  The CMA considers that Facebook could restrict the use of GIFs on other social media platforms, making its competitors change…

UK Government publishes draft National Security and Investment Act 2021

On 20 July 2021, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (“BEIS”) published: A Draft National Security and Investment Act 2021 (Notifiable Acquisition) (Specification of Qualifying Entities) Regulations 2021; A consultation on the revised draft statement that explains how the power to call in acquisitions for consideration will be used; and  Guidance notes to…

The European Commission adopts adequacy decision for the UK

The European Commission (“EC”) has announced as of 28 June the formal adoption of two adequacy decisions for the United Kingdom under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Law Enforcement Directives (LEDs). The adequacy decisions recognise the UK’s personal data safeguards as being strong and will allow UK entities to continue to receive personal data from the EEA without restriction (i.e. without…

European Commission opens investigation into Google’s conduct in online advertising technology sector

The European Commission has today announced the opening of an investigation into Google’s conduct in the online advertising technology sector.The Commission has indicated that it is concerned Google may be violating EU competition rules by favouring its own online display advertising technology services. The investigation will, in particular, examine whether Google is distorting competition by…