Following a lengthy consultation period, the European Commission published its draft guidelines for merger control last week. These guidelines will serve as the basis for reviewing major mergers in Europe and deciding whether to approve or block them. Our initial reaction: the draft is cause for concern and potentially lays the groundwork for greater market concentration in Europe.
The European Commission is currently revising its merger guidelines. We are closely monitoring this process and are advocating for a strengthening of the guidelines. Only recently, we have been participating in workshops organised by the Commission.
Google intends to acquire the cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion. This would be the largest acquisition in Google’s history and another step toward strengthening Google’s market power. Together with partners, we have submitted a formal submission to the European Competition Authority, urging a thorough investigation of this merger.
Over 70 press freedom groups and NGOs, businesses, experts, and think tanks have called on the European Commission to rejects Google’s offered remedies in the adtech antitrust case. The letter initiated by Open Markets Institute, Future of Tech Institute and Rebalance Now, calls for structural remedies to curb Google’s anti-competitive practices.
The EU is revising its merger guidelines. In an event in the European Parliament, we argue for stronger rules to curb rising market concentration.
Competition authorities have been hesitant to use structural remedies in the recent past. This background paper documents that breakups are a perfectly feasible instrument of competition policy, with a track record of effectively tackling competition concerns.
US tech companies are doing everything they can to undermine the enforcement of European laws. The EU must not allow itself to be intimidated by this. On the contrary. The European Commission must act decisively now and set the course.
Mergers are a key element of strategies to increase market power and/or leverage it into adjacent markets. The European Commission is reviewing its Merger Guidelines which provide guidance on the Commission’s practice when assessing mergers within the legal framework...
The EU must limit the power of tech companies. It must not give in to Trump’s attacks on the EU’s digital laws. This is what we and over 50 alliance partners are calling for in a letter to von der Leyen. It is a problematic sign that the EU Commission is postponing a decision because of Google’s monopoly power.
A large majority of the French, German and Spanish public are in favour of the EU taking a tough stance on Big Tech, despite the risks to relations with the Trump administration. There is also support for breaking up Google.
