Competition Markets Authority
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 20 August 2024 | CMA decision on the variation of commitments published. Implementation of the commitments continues |
| June 2024 to August 2024 | CMA consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on the variation |
| 24 May 2024 to 14 June 2024 | Variation of commitments consultation period |
| 24 May 2024 | Consultation opened on variation of commitments proposed by Meta |
| 3 November 2023 | CMA commitments decision published and case closed. Implementation of commitments commences |
| June 2023 to October 2023 | CMA consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on commitments |
| 26 May 2023 to 26 June 2023 | Commitments consultation period |
| 26 May 2023 | Consultation opened on commitments proposed by Meta |
| July 2022 to Summer 2023 | Further CMA analysis and review of information gathered |
| 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 |
Decision to accept a variation of commitments
20 August 2024: The CMA published its decision to accept a variation of the commitments that were previously accepted on 3 November 2023. The variation now contains the option of excluding certain ad data from all advertisers from being used by Meta in Facebook Marketplace. Under this option, advertisers would retain the ability to place ads on Facebook Marketplace.
The variation of commitments has been made under Section 31A of the Competition Act 1998 . The other terms of the commitments not affected by the variation continue to remain in place. Further details of the changes to the commitments that the variation makes, and the CMAs assessment of these changes, can be found in the Decision:
- (20.8.24)
- (20.8.24)
- (20.8.24)
- News story: Metas changes to ad data use rules accepted by CMA (20.8.24)
Consultation on a variation of commitments
24 May 2024: The CMA published a notice of intention to accept a variation of the commitments that had been accepted by the CMA on 3 November 2023. The CMA will consider any representations made in response to this consultation before making a final decision on whether or not to accept the proposed variation. Interested parties should submit any responses to the consultation by 14 June 2024.
Monitoring Trustee
Appointment of Monitoring Trustee and Technical Expert
20 December 2023: The CMA has approved the appointment of Grant Thornton UK LLP by Meta as Monitoring Trustee to monitor compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA on 3 November 2023. The CMA has also approved the appointment by the Monitoring Trustee of an in-house Technical Expert to support the Monitoring Trustee in monitoring compliance.
Grant Thornton may be reached via the following contacts at:
- Team email: Meta.MonitoringTrustee@uk.gt.com
- Craig Reed, Project Lead: craig.reed@uk.gt.com
- Alison J Robinson, Project Manager: alison.j.robinson@uk.gt.com
Decision to accept binding commitments
3 November 2023: The CMA published its decision to accept commitments from Meta that allow competitors advertising on Meta platforms to opt out of certain ad data being used by Meta in Facebook Marketplace. The commitments also include Meta limiting the way it uses certain ad data in product development in the UK.
Formal acceptance of commitments by the CMA has brought the investigation to an end, with no decision being made as to whether the Competition Act 1998 has been infringed.
- (3.11.23)
- (3.11.23)
- News story: CMA protects competition by curbing Metas use of ad customers data (3.11.23)
- Press notice: CMA secures improvements in ways Amazon and Meta treat competitors, benefiting customers (3.11.23)
Consultation on commitments
26 May 2023: The CMA published a notice of intention to accept commitments offered by Meta and invited representations from interested third parties on the proposed commitments. The CMA will consider any representations made in response to the consultation before making a final decision on whether or not to accept the proposed commitments.
-
Consultation on proposed commitments in respect of Metas use of advertising data (26.5.23)
-
Press release: Meta offers to limit use of businesses ad data to address CMA concerns (26.5.23)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 February 2023 | Additional time required | Analysis and review, including of further information gathered, extended from Autumn 2022 to Summer 2023 |
| 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 launch
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.
- Press release: CMA investigates Facebooks use of ad data (4.6.21)
Notes
- The investigation is under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998.
- The CMA has