United Kingdom: CMA provisionally cleared NortonLifeLock / Avast merger (Phase II inquiry)

On 3 August 2022, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued a notice on its provisional findings regarding the proposed acquisition of Avast by NortonLifeLock. Avast and NortonLifeLock provide cybersecurity software, including antivirus, virtual private networks and identity protection. In its notice, the CMA provisionally approved the acquisition noting that the anticipated acquisition may not result in a substantial lessening of competition due to horizontal unilateral effects in the supply of consumer cyber safety solutions in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the CMA opened a public consultation on its finding, inviting stakeholders to submit their comments until 24 August 2022. The CMA will issue its final decision regarding the acquisition until 8 September 2022.