Deloitte Internet Regulation Updater

Having previously been shelved, the UK’s answer to competition and consumer protection concerns in digital markets is now firmly back in motion. The Online Safety Bill (addressing online content) is also back in Parliament next week. To draw a parallel with the EU, these measures address similar ground as the now in force EU’s Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, as well as the New Deal for Consumers. In common across the UK and EU, these measures put in place or enhance regulatory frameworks and powers and impose obligations on internet companies. Look out for our webinar in the new year looking at the commonalties and differences emerging around competition, consumer and content laws in the EU, UK and elsewhere. You can email the team to register your interest.

On 17 November 2022, the Autumn Statement announced that the UK Government will now bring forward the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill in the current Parliamentary session. No date was announced for the first reading of the Bill. However, given the accelerated timeline we expect the Bill to be published in the next few weeks. Depending on the legislative timetable, it could be enacted as early as May 2023 and come into force later next year.

This Bill aims to reform competition and consumer law regimes in the UK by providing new powers to the regulator’s Digital Markets Unit (DMU) to ‘encourage new challenger firms, spur innovation, and provide consumers with higher quality products and greater choice’.

The DMU, which was launched in April last year and sits within the UK’s competition and consumer regulator (Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)) will have powers to foster more competitive digital markets; make changes to the competition framework that will include streamlined decision making and updating merger and fine thresholds; and protect consumers in fast moving markets by tackling ‘subscription traps’ and fake reviews online.

Whilst the Statement provides an update on anticipated timings, it does not provide additional insight into the proposals which will be included in the Bill. Companies in scope should monitor for further updates from Spring 2023.

Look out for our webinar in the new year looking at the commonalties and differences emerging around competition, consumer and content laws in the EU, UK and elsewhere.

If you would like to speak to the Deloitte team supporting clients on complying with fast-paced global internet regulation, please contact:

Joey Conway, Internet Regulation Partner, Legal Lead

Nick Seeber, Internet Regulation Lead Partner

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