Whilst rumours had indicated that a new digital markets regime might have been shelved in the UK, the UK Government has now published its plans to address what it considers to be “the harmful effects and sources of substantial entrenched market power” in the digital sector.
Following hot on the heals of the
UK Government’s intentions for broad reforms to the competition and consumer law regimes, the proposed digital markets framework will see the Digital Markets Unit designating firms with “Strategic Market Status” (SMS) and developing tailored, binding conduct requirements for each of those SMS firms.
“Pro-competitive interventions”, the ability to implement a wide range of remedies including ownership separation and tough enforcement powers will back up these requirements.
At this stage there is uncertainty over exactly when the regime will come into force but our antitrust experts set out the key aspects of the new rules
here.
