The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that it has secured compensation for off-grid domestic heating oil customers whose orders were unfairly cancelled following severe wholesale price shocks.[1]
CMA Ramps Up Drip Pricing Enforcement With Investigations Into Trainline, Virgin Atlantic, and RED Driving School
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on Wednesday that it has opened three new consumer protection investigations into Trainline, Virgin Atlantic, and RED Driving School over concerns that mandatory fees were not included in the headline prices.[1]
CMA Investigates Microsoft Over Potentially Misleading Subscription Practices
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recently launched an investigation into Microsoft, examining whether the tech giant misled customers about their subscription options.
CMA Launches Major Consumer Protection Drive Focused on Online Pricing Under New DMCCA Powers
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a significant consumer protection drive targeting online pricing and sales practices across the economy. This represents the first major enforcement effort under the sweeping powers granted by the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA). For an overview of the changes brought in by the DMCCA, see our related blog post here.
A New Age of Consumer Protection in the UK
The long-awaited consumer protection reforms brought by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) are here and set to transform consumer protection in the UK. As of April 6, the CMA can directly enforce consumer law breaches, rather than having to go through the courts to establish an infringement. The CMA sees the changes brought about by the DMCCA as an “opportunity to do [our] consumer protection work more effectively, more quickly and—hopefully—with even better outcomes for people in the UK”.[1] The CMA’s goal is to establish a robust and independent consumer protection framework that not only shields UK consumers and builds their trust but also ensures fair competition by creating a level playing field for businesses. The expectation is that this dual approach of safeguarding consumer interests and promoting fair business practices will, in turn, boost both consumer and business confidence, ultimately driving growth within the UK economy and fostering effective competition.[2]
2024 Antitrust Update: Navigating the Evolving Landscape
The following is part of our annual publication Selected Issues for Boards of Directors in 2025. Explore all topics or download the PDF.
Antitrust in 2024 was marked by evolving policy developments, vigorous enforcement, and eye-catching court decisions. In the U.S., an aggressive enforcement approach lead to unpredictability and lengthy merger review process across sectors. In the EU, enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) intensified scrutiny on digital platforms, while a landmark ruling in the Illumina/GRAIL matter clarified the scope of the EU Commission’s merger jurisdiction. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) cleared the Vodafone/Three merger with behavioral remedies, signaling a significant departure from its historic practice to require structural remedies. 2025 will see new antitrust leadership on both sides of the Atlantic with an expectation that the U.S. will largely return to a more traditional approach on antitrust under the Trump Administration and that Europe will continue to enforce digital rules and bring cases related to AI with a focus on promoting growth in clean tech and AI sectors.