The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has secured commitments from Apple and Google intended to improve certainty, transparency and fairness for UK businesses dependent on app stores, representing the first changes following the designation of both companies' mobile platforms under the digital markets competition regime in October 2025. The commitments address app review processes, app ranking, data collection safeguards and interoperability access to Apple's iOS and iPadOS operating systems. Apple and Google must review and rank apps in a fair, objective and transparent manner without discriminating against competing apps or providing preferential treatment to their own applications. The companies must also safeguard app data gathered during review processes and not use this data unfairly. Apple has committed to enabling developers to more easily request interoperable access to features within its mobile operating systems. The CMA will implement robust monitoring and reporting requirements, with metrics including app approval rates, review timeframes, complaint outcomes and interoperability request processing. Should the companies fail to implement the commitments effectively, the CMA would move swiftly to impose formal conduct requirements. The consultation on the proposed commitments closes on 3 March 2026, with implementation scheduled for 1 April 2026.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has secured voluntary undertakings from Ticketmaster following an investigation into the Oasis ticket sales. The commitments, made without admission of liability, require Ticketmaster to provide 24-hour advance notice of tiered pricing, clear queue information about prices, accurate ticket descriptions and regular compliance reporting over two years. The investigation was conducted under pre-April 2025 powers, before the CMA gained new authority to impose direct fines of up to 10% of turnover for consumer law breaches.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has secured the disqualifications of Mr Eoin McCann and Mr Francis McCann following the 2019 decision that FP McCann Ltd, Stanton Bonna Concrete Ltd and CPM Group Ltd were engaged in an illegal cartel arrangement. CMA determined that form July 2006 to March 2013, the Northern Irish concrete suppliers apportioned customers, fixed prices and shared sensitive competitive information.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that it has secured final commitments, in the form of undertakings, from Worcester Bosch to make changes to its marketing practices. This comes after the CMA opened a formal investigation in October 2023 to determine whether Worcester Bosch breached consumer protection law by making potentially misleading claims to shoppers about its ‘hydrogen-blend ready’ home boilers. Worcester Bosch stated that while the undertakings do not amount to an admission that its marketing practices breached consumer protection law, it showcases its commitment to ensuring that it does not mislead consumers on the environmental benefits and ‘future-proofing’ of its boilers. As a result, the CMA has closed its enforcement case against Worcester Bosch but will continue to closely monitor Worcester Bosch’s compliance with the undertakings. This case is part of the CMA’s larger consumer protection campaign in the green heating and insulation sector.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has acquired undertakings from Wowcher to change its online selling practices under section 219 of the Enterprise Act 2002. About 870,000 customers who were signed up to Wowcher’s ‘VIP membership’ via a pre-ticked box have now been refunded over £4m in credit with the choice to convert to cash. Customers will be able to clearly and accurately see claims about the availability of products and services on Wowcher’s website. This comes after CMA's investigation in November 2023 over concerns that Wowcher’s countdown timers and marketing claims such as ‘Running out!’ and ‘In high demand!’, could create a false sense of urgency and influence people’s purchasing decisions. The CMA wrote to Wowcher setting out its concerns and calling on the company to change its practices or face possible court action. The CMA also highlighted the concern that these urgency claim risks, particularly when used with countdown timers, provide the misleading impression that products shortly will not be available, when this is often not the case, and therefore leading to rushed purchases. Most importantly, the CMA noted most products on Wowcher’s site continued to be available at a similar price once the daily countdown timer has ended. Wowcher’s use of pre-ticked boxes to sign thousands of customers up to its paid-for ‘VIP membership’, which risks customers being signed up without their full understanding, was also an emphasis of concern.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a speech by its Acting Executive Director for Consumer Protection, Emma Cochrane, outlining the CMA’s progress and future priorities under the consumer protection provisions of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA 2024). The speech reflects on the first ten months of the regime, which came into force in April 2025. Cochrane describes the DMCCA 2024 as marking a ‘genuine shift’ in UK consumer enforcement, noting that, for the first time, the CMA can decide whether consumer protection laws have been infringed, rather than having to litigate through the courts, and can issue penalties directly where breaches are found. She says the CMA’s approach to exercising these powers is guided by its ‘4Ps’ principles: pace, predictability, proportionality and process. She also highlights the CMA’s publication of updated guidance and engagement with businesses to support compliance under the new regime, and points to the new banned practices relating to fake reviews introduced by the DMCCA 2024. Looking ahead, she says further enforcement action can be expected, particularly in areas of essential household spend and in relation to fake reviews, unfair contract terms and drip pricing where businesses fail to change their behaviour. She concludes that the CMA is beginning to see the deterrent effect of the new regime, with businesses investing in training and reviewing practices, and says the CMA will continue to use its new powers ‘thoughtfully, strategically and effectively’ to protect consumers and support compliant businesses.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its strategy for 2026-2029, outlining an enhanced consumer protection regime with new powers to determine consumer law infringements, order redress and sanction non-compliant businesses. The strategy establishes consumer protection as one of five strategic objectives, with particular focus on preventing harm in essential spending areas and vulnerable consumer situations.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has taken court action against the Emma Group for failing to address concerns about potentially misleading sales practices, including discounts and urgency tactics. Interim Executive Director for Consumer Protection and Markets, George Lusty, stated that such tactics may pressure consumers into hurried purchases. Emma Group can still amend its practices by giving undertakings to the court ahead of the hearing. This move is part of the CMA's programme focused on addressing harmful online sales practices.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that four high street banks—HSBC, Lloyds, TSB and Allied Irish Bank (AIB)—have failed to comply with banking rules it put in place to help their customers. HSBC, Lloyds, TSB, and AIB have all been issued with public letters, while HSBC has also been directed to make changes to prevent further breaches.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that it is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Nationwide Building Society of Virgin Money UK PLC. Written representations about any competition issues should be provided by 14 June 2024.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has updated its guidance for consumer bodies seeking designation as super-complainants under the Enterprise Act 2002. These bodies can make super-complaints about market features harming consumer interests. The guidance outlines criteria for designation, including independence, experience, and capability to submit reasoned complaints. Applications should be sent to the Department for Business and Trade, with a 12-week public consultation period for transparency.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has updated its guidance for social media platforms on reviews and endorsements to align with the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA 2024).