UK No Longer a Laggard: CMA Joins Global Push to Regulate Google

The United Kingdom has firmly signaled it is no longer a laggard in the global push to regulate Big Tech, as its competition authority has taken decisive action against Google. By designating the company with “strategic market status,” the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) has equipped itself with the legal tools to join its counterparts in the US and EU in tackling Google’s market dominance.
This move, the first under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, is seen by legal experts as a pivotal moment. For years, critics have watched as other jurisdictions took the lead in addressing the market power of tech giants. Today’s decision means the CMA “now has the legal ability to follow suit,” according to former CMA legal director Tom Smith.
The “strategic market status” (SMS) is based on Google’s control of over 90% of the UK search market. It empowers the CMA to impose remedies designed to open the market to competition. These could include requiring “choice screens” to promote rival search engines and enforcing rules on fair ranking and the use of publisher content.
Google has pushed back, suggesting the UK’s approach could jeopardize its status as a hub for innovation. A senior director at the company warned that the proposed interventions could slow down product launches, particularly in the cutting-edge field of AI.
Despite these concerns, the CMA is moving forward. The designation triggers a formal process for developing new rules, with a consultation expected this year. This action firmly places the UK at the forefront of the international conversation about how to ensure digital markets remain fair and competitive.