United Kingdom: Issued CMA-ICO joint statement clarifiying relationship of competition and data protection law

The UK Information Commissioner`s Office and the Competition and Markets Authority published a joint statement on the relationship between competition and data protection law in the digital economy. Since there is a strong overlap between the two areas, the authorities view them as complementary rather than opposing agendas and commit to working together to find regulatory solutions satisfying both areas. The goal is to have a competitive digital market with coherent regulation that empowers consumers by giving them control over their data and driving positive competition outcomes. The three main categories of synergies are identified as user choice and control, standards and regulations to protect the privacy and data-related interventions to promote competition.