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Summary of Antitrust Investigations and AI Regulation in England
- Tech Reg Forum
- Nov 28
- 3 min read
This overview provides a concise account of recent developments in England relating to antitrust enforcement and the regulation of digital markets and AI. It highlights key actions by the Competition and Markets Authority, including emerging strategic market status designations, major market investigations and oversight of dominant technology platforms, alongside wider government initiatives to modernise data protection and support responsible AI innovation.
→ Antitrust
October
22 October, 2025 - The CMA confirmed that legal tests have been met to designate both Apple and Google with strategic market status (SMS) in each of their mobile platforms. These platforms cover operating systems, app distribution, browsers and browser engines on smartphones and tablets. It was clarified that Designating Google and Apple with SMS is not a finding of wrongdoing and does not introduce any immediate requirements. However, it enables the CMA to consider proportionate, targeted interventions to ensure that mobile platforms are open to effective competition, and that consumers and businesses that rely on Google and Apple can have confidence that they are treated fairly.[1]
17 October, 2025 - The CMA released the commitments previously accepted by it in respect of Google’s Privacy Sandbox Proposals. On 11 February 2022, the CMA issued a decision under section 31A of the Competition Act 1998 to accept the Commitments offered by Alphabet Inc., Google UK Limited and Google LLC in the context of the CMA’s investigation concerning a suspected abuse of a dominant position by Google in the market for the supply of web browsers through its proposals to replace TPCs and other functionalities in Chrome with a range of alternative technologies known as the ‘Privacy Sandbox’ tools.[2]
July
31 July, 2025 - The Competition and Markets Authority published its final report in its Cloud Services Market Investigation and recommended that the CMA Board use
its digital markets powers to prioritise commencing SMS investigations to consider
designating the two largest providers Microsoft and AWS with strategic market
status (SMS) in relation to their respective digital activities in cloud services.[3]
June
19 June, 2025 - the Government of the United Kingdom granted royal assent to Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, establishing a new regulatory framework for data protection and redefining how shared data can be accessed. The Act will come into force in phases, as set out by the Secretary of State through commencement regulations. The Data (Use and Access) Act defines clear rules to allow individuals and businesses in the UK to have greater control over data to be assessed and shared between parties, with the aim of promoting informed consent, strengthening consumer protection, and building trust. It facilitates secure data extraction and access across sectors, encouraging innovation while safeguarding privacy and transparency.[4]
April
15 April, 2025 - The CMA investigated the partnership between Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft) and OpenAI, Inc. (OpenAI) and has decided that Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI does not qualify for investigation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002.[5]
March
12 March, 2025 - The CMA published its market investigation in respect of the supply of mobile browsers and browser engines, and the distribution of cloud gaming services through app stores on mobile devices in the UK. It has found competition concerns in relation to mobile browsers and has issued its final decision confirming its recommendation.[6]
→ AI and Big Tech Regulation
October
21 October, 2025 - Technology Secretary announced plans to look at how companies and innovators can test new AI products in real-world conditions, with some rules and regulations temporarily relaxed under strict supervision.Known as sandboxes, individual regulations are temporarily switched off or tweaked for a limited period of time in safe, controlled testing environments. They would initially be set up for key sectors of the economy like healthcare, professional services, transport, and the use of robotics in advanced manufacturing, to accelerate the responsible development and deployment of AI products.[7]
June
6 June, 2025 - The Office of Communications (“Ofcom”) published its strategic approach to AI - supporting the safe innovation and use of artificial intelligence across the sectors it regulates. This regulation is technology-neutral, meaning regulated companies are essentially free to deploy AI as they see fit, without needing Ofcom’s permission, helping enable faster innovation and growth.[8]
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-confirms-apple-and-google-have-strategic-market-status-in-mobile-platforms
[2] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68f213ce06e6515f7914c728/Decision_to_release_the_commitments_previously_accepted_by_the_CMA_in_respect_of_Google_s_Privacy_Sandbox_proposals.pdf
[3] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/688b8891fdde2b8f73469544/final_decision_report.pdf
[4] https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/18/contents, https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2025/06/23/uk-data-use-and-access-act-2025-data-protection/
[5] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67fe26ef712bf73dea135449/____Full_text_decision__.pdf
[6] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d1abd1a005e6f9841a1d94/Final_decision_report1.pdf
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