Technology, Media & Communications

On July 10, 2025, the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) published both its 2024 Annual Report,[1] and its 2025-2026 Roadmap,[2] which outlines its priorities for the year ahead. 

In July 2025, the European Commission launched a consultation about its revision of the EU antitrust procedural rules.[1] This is part of a comprehensive evaluation that the Commission initiated in March 2022, to ensure that the procedural framework for the EU’s antitrust enforcement remains “fit for the digital age” after its enactment 20 years ago.[2]

On June 11, 2025, the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) issued its first-ever decision[1] sanctioning no-poach agreements as stand-alone infringements.[2] Fines totaling EUR 29.5 million were imposed on three companies operating in the engineering, technology consulting, and IT services sectors.  

On June 4, 2025, The French Competition Authority (“FCA”) launched a public consultation on the topic of self-preferencing in the cloud computing sector.  This follows the recent enactment of Law No. 2024-449 on the security and regulation of the digital space (“SREN Law”).  This consultation reflects growing scrutiny of vertically integrated cloud providers that may favor their own services and software at the expense of competitors.

The French Assemblée Nationale (the “National Assembly”) is currently examining a legislative proposal to increase the French merger control notification thresholds, as part of a broader bill on the simplification of economic life (the “Simplification Bill”).  The draft Simplification Bill, already adopted by the French Senate[1] and reviewed by a special commission within the National Assembly, is being discussed in plenary session under the accelerated legislative procedure. [2]  If adopted, the new merger control thresholds could be implemented by early 2026 and would significantly decrease the number of transactions reviewed by the French Competition Authority (the “FCA”).