The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into whether Google should be designated as having “Strategic Market Status” (SMS) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA), which came into effect on January 1 this year.
The DMCCA grants the CMA powers similar to those the European Union holds under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), allowing it to regulate companies with significant influence on UK digital markets to combat unfair practices. Companies granted “Strategic Market Status” will have to comply with tailored business requirements to prevent unfair competitive advantages and promote market fairness.
The investigation focuses on Google’s general search services and search advertising and is expected to last nine months.
