FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April 25, 2023

CONTACT: Max von Thun, vonthun@openmarketsinstitute.org

The Open Markets Institute released the following statement from Europe Director Max von Thun following the UK Government’s publication of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill, a major new piece of legislation targeting Big Tech’s market power.

“Open Markets commends the UK government’s efforts, through this comprehensive new Bill, to loosen Big Tech’s grip on our societies. The legislation, once passed and implemented, will place the UK at the forefront of global action to make digital markets contestable, alongside the EU’s Digital Markets Act and Germany’s Section 19a rules. But time is of the essence: after major delays in the publication of the Bill, Parliament must now move quickly to pass it.

“The Bill contains many highly encouraging measures, including a new pro-competition framework for Big Tech firms, a tougher merger control regime, and new rules on harmful practices including subscription traps and fake reviews. These new powers will allow the CMA to build on its global leadership in tackling monopoly power in recent years. Open Markets stands ready to work with UK policymakers in ensuring the Bill is passed successfully, including resisting Big Tech’s inevitable efforts to water it down and stifle effective implementation.”

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The Open Markets Institute is a team of journalists, researchers, lawyers, economists, and advocates working together to expose and reverse the stranglehold that corporate monopolies have on our country.  Learn more at www.openmarketsinstitute.org.