CMA begins digital ad probe

The regulator is looking at how digital advertising potentially causes ‘harm’ to consumers, probing the market power of online platforms such as Facebook and Google and the impact this has on people.

The level of control consumers have over how their personal data is used and collected by tech companies will also be scrutinised.

The CMA is also investigating whether online platforms’ domination distorts the digital ad market.

As part of its review, the CMA has invited the industry to submit comments by 30 July 2019.

The study is part of its wider digital market strategy, which outlines the CMA’s approach to protecting consumers in the digital economy.