The French Commission Nationale de l’informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), known for its strict interpretation and zealous enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (who can forget the €50 million fine it imposed on Google?), must now partially change its draft guidelines on cookies and other trackers after a ruling of the Conseil d’État.   The … Continue reading CNIL, Europe’s strictest Data Protection Authority, is not invincible after all →

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (“ACCC”) published today a Statement of Issues outlining its preliminary views on competition concerns arising from the proposed acquisition of Fitbit (a company that develops, manufactures and distributes wrist-worn wearable devices) by Google.  The Australian watchdog raises two main concerns regarding the proposed acquisition. First, that it is likely … Continue reading The ACCC publishes Statement of Issues on the Google/Fitbit merger →

Digital technologies have considerably changed the way commerce and distribution work. Internet sales are growing exponentially. Numerous offline retailers are now marketing their products and services online, and “pure play” retailers, almost exclusively active in internet sales, have emerged.  At the same time, digital technologies (e.g. smartphones, tablets, augmented technologies) are increasingly forming part of the … Continue reading The Autorité de la concurrence publishes study on competition and e-commerce →

Yesterday marked the beginning of a busy summer on the regulatory front, as the European Commission fired the starting gun for the regulation of digital platforms.  The Commission launched a public consultation on the Digital Services Act (“DSA”), a much-awaited package announced in the political guidelines of the new Commission and in the Commission’s Communication “Shaping … Continue reading Countdown to the ex ante regulation of online platforms: the Commission launches public consultation and publishes inception impact assessment →

Today, I am delighted to interview my friend Horacio Gutierrez, Spotify’s Head of Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer. Just as the Commission launched its public consultation on the DSA package, it is a great time to discuss with Horacio the future of innovation, competition and regulation in digital markets. Horacio, could you tell us … Continue reading Questions and answers with Horacio Gutierrez, Spotify’s Head of Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer →