Forward

Growth is the top priority for major economies. From the United States and China to Europe and the United Kingdom, policymakers are leveraging digital technologies to drive economic expansion, attracting investment and fostering innovation. As a result, major blocs are competing through a mix of industrial, trade, as well as digital and competition policies, strategically advancing their domestic interests with defensive and offensive tools. However, the outcome remains uncertain, as any escalation could undermine global growth and weaken the long-term credibility of digital and competition policies designed to regulate digital markets.

I will happily meet you in:

Brussels: 24 and 25 February 2025

Paris: 26-27 February 2025 (OECD Competition Day)

My Work

Analysis: The UK Digital Competition Pro-Growth Dilemma

The UK’s pro-growth agenda pushes the Competition and Markets Authority to implement its digital competition regime in emerging technologies, such as AI, in a timely and careful manner. The analysis

Analysis: Fast-Follower Digital Competition Regimes: Leveraging Lessons from First Movers

Fast-follower digital competition regimes can learn from first-moving frameworks to ensure regulatory coherence through legislative measures, regulatory decisions, and incentives for voluntary compliance. The analysis

Infographics: Google’s Potential Conduct Requirements in Search and Search Advertising Services Under the UK Digital Competition Regime

The potential conduct requirements can unlock access points to Google’s services but can also unduly distort the competition process in AI-related services. The CMA should implement its requirements in a timely and careful manner. The infographics

Training: Winter School on Digital and Competition Policies

The winter school provides insightful lessons on the fast-changing regulatory and market developments related to digital and AI markets. The winter school

Training: UK DMCCA Training

The UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) training programme offers a deep understanding of the state of play of the UK digital competition regime, learning from domestic and international experiences. The DMCCA training

Consultations: UK Digital Markets Act (DMCCCA) Consultations

I assist potential designated firms, interested stakeholders, and their legal counsels in responding to public consultations under the UK digital competition regime. For those interested in the consultation regarding Apple and Google’s designation in mobile ecosystems (closed on 12 February 2025), please contact me for in-depth research and strategic solutions to ensure coherence with digital competition regimes globally. Contact

Consultation: Australian Consultation on a New Digital Competition Regime

I assist potential designated firms, interested stakeholders, and their legal counsels in responding to the public consultation on the proposed Australian digital competition regime (closed on 14 February). Please contact me for in-depth research into digital and AI markets in Australia, institutional design of digital competition regimes, and strategic solutions to ensure coherence with digital competition regimes globally. Contact

Consultations: French Consultation on French Merger Control Law

I am also helping interested parties answer the French consultation on reviewing below-threshold mergers under French competition laws (closed on 16 February 2025). Please contact me for insights for an assessment of the French proposals. Contact

Consultations: Struggling with Europe's Digital Regulations? 

I am here to help companies, law firms, and authorities overcome the complexities of cross-regulatory issues in Europe through strategic insights and policy advice to ensure they consistently navigate digital regulations.

Tracker: DMCCA Tracker

You can now track enforcement actions under the UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA). The Tracker

Research projects: Let’s work together

News

Generative AI

OpenAI Enters the Browser Engine Market

OpenAI is developing its "Operator" feature, designed to complete tasks like making reservations by autonomously browsing the web using its own browser engine. This innovation could be disruptive, as AI—not humans—will navigate the internet, meaning publishers and advertisers may find themselves catering to AI rather than traditional users. Key questions arise: Will publishers allow this feature to operate on their websites? How will Google Chrome react? OpenAI

OpenAI’s Exclusive $500 Billion Investment in AI Infrastructure

The United States is embarking on a $500 billion initiative to develop AI infrastructure exclusively for OpenAI in collaboration with major tech players:  Arm (chip design), Microsoft (cloud services), NVIDIA (advanced chips), Oracle (specialised cloud), and OpenAI (AI models).* This unprecedented investment raises strategic questions: How will Europe respond? How will OpenAI’s competitors challenge the deal? OpenAI

Canadian Competition Bureau’s Response to AI Consultation

The Canadian Competition Bureau has published its response to a public consultation on AI, offering a balanced perspective on competition concerns based on stakeholder feedback. This is significant, as Canada will lead the G7 competition authorities this year, likely continuing their work on AI competition policy. The answer

UK Provisional Report on Cloud Services

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA has published its provisional decision on cloud services, identifying competition concerns and recommending the designation of Microsoft and Amazon’s cloud services under the UK digital competition regime. While competition authorities worldwide have analysed the cloud sector, this report is the first to assess competition in AI-related markets. It underscores that AI is driving cloud demand and that AI partnerships are common to access computing resources like AI chips. The CMA recommends continued investigation as the market evolves. The report

The Emergence of DeepSeek

DeepSeek is a Chinese tsunami in AI. In just a week, this fine-tuned open-source model, derived from Qwen and Llama, has become one of the fastest-growing services in history. Trained for just $6 million, DeepSeek is now the number 1 free app on the Apple App Store, at the origin of over 500 derivative models on Hugging Face, and a factor in erasing $1 trillion in tech market value in one single day. However, this surge was predictable, as DeepSeek leveraged existing models to create a new one, demonstrating the power of open-source AI to fuel competition and innovation. Yet, concerns remain, particularly around data protection, leading to DeepSeek’s ban in Italy. DeepSeek. Italian ban

Digital Competition Regimes

Apple and Google’s Designation in Mobile Ecosystems Under UK Digital Competition Rules

The CMA is consulting stakeholders on the potential designation of Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystems under the UK digital competition regime. These designations focus on key digital activities: Operating systems (Apple iOS, iPadOS, Google Android), app marketplaces (Apple App Store, Google Play Store), and web browsers (Apple Safari, WebKit, Google Chrome, Blink).

The proposed requirements could not only open access but also promote rivals directly on these platforms. Interested parties have until 12 February 2025 to submit responses. Contact me for assistance in crafting your submission. The public consultation

Rivals Push for Stronger Digital Markets Act (DMA) Enforcement

Epic Games and the Coalition for App Fairness urge the European Commission to enforce the DMA more aggressively amid concerns about non-compliance. The Commission has until 25 March 2025 to conclude ongoing investigations into Meta and Apple, but reports suggest the Commission may hesitate due to potential US tariff threats under the Trump administration. Epic Games. Coalition for App Fairness

Competitiveness 

Europe’s Competitiveness Compass

The European Commission has released its Competitiveness Compass, outlining its strategy to boost Europe’s competitiveness. However, the document merely repeats the mission letters to the Commissioners without introducing meaningful new concrete proposals. As a result, it lacks clear direction and concrete policy measures, making it a disappointing roadmap for Europe’s competitiveness. The Compass