The UK Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") Final Report in the Market Study into Online Platforms and Digital Advertising proposes the creation of a new regulatory authority and additional regulations to govern the conduct of online platforms funded by digital advertising, as well as specific market interventions. While some of the CMA proposals parallel the recommendations of other antitrust enforcers or nongovernmental entities, there is divergence. Given the international nature of many online platforms, there is a risk that market participants could face complex and conflicting obligations in different jurisdictions that result in unwieldy compliance, unintended consequences, or negation of the alleged benefits of the proposals.

In this White Paper, we describe the CMA's recommendations and its implications.