UK Passes Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

The UK House of Commons has passed the 'Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill', which creates a regime to empower the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to regulate and increase competition in digital markets.

The bill, which now only awaits Royal Assent, is similar to the Digital Markets Act recently implemented in the European Union.

It will:
● create a new regime to increase competition in digital markets by conferring powers and duties on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to regulate competition in these markets
● update powers to investigate and enforce competition law
● update and enhance powers to investigate and enforce consumer protection law and resolve consumer disputes
● give consumers protections in respect of unfair commercial practices, subscription traps and prepayments to savings schemes


The bill will likely classify Apple as having "Strategic Market Status," due to its substantial market power. This means the company will face new regulatory obligations, including adhering to specific conduct requirements designed to curb anti-competitive behaviors. These rules might compel Apple to offer more transparency regarding its app store policies and possibly open up its data to rival services.

You can learn more about the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at the link below.

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