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ARTICLE · 06 AUGUST 2025

Choice Screens And Data Dreams: The CMA Unveils Roadmap In Relation To Google Search

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The CMA has provisionally designated Google as holding Strategic Market Status (SMS) in General Search Services and indicated what is likely to be included in an initial package of interventions...

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Greg Dowell
Greg Dowell
Caja Griesenbach
Caja Griesenbach
Matthew Jones
Matthew Jones

The CMA has provisionally designated Google as holding Strategic Market Status (SMS) in General Search Services and indicated what is likely to be included in an initial package of interventions to mitigate Google's market power in online search.

In January 2025, the CMA launched an investigation to determine whether Google should be designated as having Strategic Market Status (SMSI) in relation to its general search and search advertising activities (together, General Search Services). Once designated, the CMA can impose "conduct requirements" (CRs) on the designated firm and/or introduce "pro-competition interventions" (PCIs) to address the root causes of market power.

As discussed in our previous article, this investigation is the first of its kind under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) and marks a significant step in the UK's regulation of digital markets.

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