View all newsletters
Receive our newsletter - data, insights and analysis delivered to you
  1. Government Computing
April 8, 2021

New UK regulator DMU to control Google, Facebook and Amazon

A new regulator in the UK called the Digital Markets Unit (DMU) has begun operations with the intention of controlling the dominance of tech giants Google, Facebook and Amazon.

DMU’s first job will be to create new codes of conduct for these multinational digital platforms, which includes their relationship with advertisers and content providers. Credit: monicore/Pixabay.

The government announced the setting up of this unit in November 2020 to enforce a new pro-competition regime, which would cover platforms having sizeable market power, or strategic market status.

Based inside the Competition and Markets Authority, DMU’s first job will be to create new codes of conduct for these multinational digital platforms, which includes their relationship with advertisers and content providers.

The UK Digital Secretary has asked DMU to collaborate with communications regulator Ofcom to delve into the details of how a code would impact the connection between content providers and platforms, adding that it be created in all reasonable fairness.

Most of the world’s digital advertising revenue is being controlled by Google, Facebook and Amazon.

Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “The Digital Markets Unit has launched and I’ve asked it to begin by looking at the relationships between platforms and content providers, and platforms and digital advertisers. This will pave the way for the development of new digital services and lower prices, give consumers more choice and control over their data, and support our news industry, which is vital to freedom of expression and our democratic values.”

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The UK has built an enviable reputation as a global tech hub and we want that to continue – but I’m clear that the system needs to be fair for our smaller businesses, new entrepreneurs and the wider British public. Our new, unashamedly pro-competition regime will help to curb the dominance of tech giants, unleash a wave of innovation throughout the market and ensure smaller firms aren’t pushed out.”

Competition Markets Authority chief executive Andrea Coscelli said: “People shopping on the internet and sharing information online should be able to enjoy the choice, secure data and fair prices that come with a dynamic and competitive industry.”

Content from our partners
How businesses can safeguard themselves on the cyber frontline
How hackers’ tactics are evolving in an increasingly complex landscape
Green for go: Transforming trade in the UK

However, new regulator DMU will have to wait for legal enforcement of such codes before taking any action.

Topics in this article : , ,
Websites in our network
Select and enter your corporate email address Tech Monitor's research, insight and analysis examines the frontiers of digital transformation to help tech leaders navigate the future. Our Changelog newsletter delivers our best work to your inbox every week.
  • CIO
  • CTO
  • CISO
  • CSO
  • CFO
  • CDO
  • CEO
  • Architect Founder
  • MD
  • Director
  • Manager
  • Other
Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
THANK YOU