Microsoft-Activivision deal to face UK, EU probe: Report

Microsoft’s deal to buy Activision is expected to face a UK inquiry after Microsoft failed to offer solutions to address competition concerns. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said earlier this month that the US tech company’s takeover of video game publisher Activision Blizzard could hurt competition in gaming consoles, subscription services and cloud gaming. The deal is also under intense scrutiny in Brussels. The EU is expected to take time to review the deal.

According to recent information Report Microsoft’s $75 billion (roughly Rs. 5,97,420 crore) acquisition of Activision is under intense scrutiny in Brussels and the UK, according to the Financial Times. The investigation report follows growing concerns that the deal is anti-competitive and could potentially exclude competitors from entering Call of Duty.

The CMA is said to be launching an in-depth investigation into Microsoft this week after the American tech giant decided to go ahead with the deal without offering any measures to alleviate competition concerns at this stage.

The UK’s CMA is the first global antitrust regulator to warn the public about the dangers of transacting. The CMA has given Microsoft five days to come up with solutions to address the concerns, failing which Microsoft will face an extended investigation.

To recall, the EU investigation is expected to take time. The Microsoft-Activivision deal is facing intense scrutiny in Brussels.