UK’s Competition and Markets Authority Investigates Tech Giants for Anti-Competitive Data Practices

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the United Kingdom has launched an investigation into several major tech companies, focusing on their data-sharing and advertising practices. This inquiry could have global ramifications as regulators worldwide struggle to rein in Big Tech’s data dominance.

Focus of the Investigation

The CMA is probing whether companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta have:

• Unfairly used consumer data to reinforce their market dominance.

• Created barriers to entry for smaller competitors by withholding critical data needed to develop competing advertising services.

• Leveraged their platform ecosystems to force businesses into unfavorable data-sharing agreements.

Global Context

This investigation aligns with global regulatory trends, from Europe’s Digital Markets Act to US Congressional inquiries into Big Tech monopolies. As governments recognize the economic power of data, these inquiries are seen as essential to maintaining competitive digital markets.

What Happens Next

If the CMA finds evidence of anti-competitive conduct, it could impose hefty fines and mandate structural changes, such as mandatory data-sharing rules or platform interoperability requirements.

For businesses worldwide, this is a wake-up call—the era of light-touch regulation for digital monopolies is rapidly ending.