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Investigation into Meta's (formerly Facebook) use of data

Competition Markets Authority

August 1
09:59 2022

Case timetable

Date Action
July 2022 to autumn 2022 (estimate) Further investigation including information gathering, CMA analysis and review
July 2022 Decision taken to proceed with investigation
June 2021 to July 2022 Initial investigation: information gathering, including issue of formal or informal information requests. CMA analysis and review of information gathered.
3 June 2021 Investigation opened

Change log

The following changes have been made to the case timetable since it was first published in June 2021:

Date of change Reason for change Change made to timetable
7 April 2022 Further evidence gathering and analysis Initial investigation: information gathering, including issue of formal or informal information requests. CMA analysis and review of information gathered extended from February 2022 to Summer 2022

Case Information

3 June 2021: the CMA launched an investigation under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 into suspected breaches of competition law by Meta (formerly Facebook). The investigation concerns Metas conduct in relation to the collection and/or use of data in the context of providing online advertising services and its single sign-on function and whether this results in a competitive advantage over downstream competitors.

Notes

  • The investigation is under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998.
  • The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections.
  • The CMA will consider any representations it receives before any decision is taken as to whether competition law has in fact been infringed.
  • Further detail of the CMAs procedures in Competition Act 1998 cases is available in?our guidance.
  • Changes to the timing of original entries in the case timetable will be made if the estimated timing changes.

Personal data

The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its investigations, including investigations under the Competition Act 1998. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

You can find more information about how the CMA handles personal information in the CMAs Personal Information Charter.

Contacts

Assistant Director

Chris Dodds (020 3738 6717, Chris.Dodds@cma.gov.uk)

Project Director

Deborah Wilkie (020 3738 6606, Deborah.Wilkie@cma.gov.uk)

Senior Responsible Officer

Michael Grenfell (020 3738 6134, Michael.Grenfell@cma.gov.uk)

Media enquiries

020 3738 6460, press@cma.gov.uk

Published 4 June 2021
Last updated 1 August 2022 +show all updates
  1. Update to case timetable and change log.

  2. Case timetable updated and change log added.

  3. First published.

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