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The CMA's digital markets regime: what it means for software and AI start-ups
What do the CMA's digital markets rules mean for software?
Updated 6 November 2026 from public records. 12 items below.
At a glance
- 12 records from the last 120 days, 6 naming software and AI directly
- Next consultation closes 13 November 2026
- Most active: Competition and Markets Authority
- Latest record: 6 November 2026
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 lets the Competition and Markets Authority give the biggest tech firms "strategic market status" and then set rules for how they treat everyone else in their market. It has already used the power on Apple's and Google's mobile platforms and Google's search, and has proposed it for Microsoft's business software. For a start-up that builds on, or competes with, one of those firms, each new rule can open a door or close one. The Act on legislation.gov.uk.
What it means for your start-up
Software start-ups often build on, sell through or compete with the firms the CMA is regulating: app stores, search, and possibly business software and cloud. The CMA can now require those firms to deal fairly with the businesses that depend on them, so each conduct requirement it sets is a chance to fix a cost or a restriction you live with today.
What to do now
- List the big platforms you rely on and what each one could change overnight: fees, ranking, access to data or interfaces.
- Follow the CMA's investigations into the markets you sell in, and when it consults, reply with concrete examples.
- If you compete with a designated firm, keep a record of conduct that shuts you out. It is the evidence the CMA needs.
Open for comment now
Marked: mentions software and ai directly.
- Proposed decision: SMS investigation into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) invites comments on its proposed decision to designate Microsoft as having strategic market status (SMS) in respect of its business software ecosystem.
Latest from government
Marked: mentions software and ai directly.
- CMA takes first steps to ensure choice in business software
CMA proposes to designate Microsoft with strategic market status in its business software ecosystem. - Microsoft’s business software ecosystem
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating whether to designate Microsoft as having strategic market status (SMS) in respect of its business software ecosystem. - Apple’s mobile platform
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated Apple as having strategic market status (SMS) in the provision of its mobile platform. - Google's general search and search advertising services
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated Google as having strategic market status (SMS) in respect of its provision of general search and search advertising services. - Google’s mobile platform
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has designated Google as having strategic market status (SMS) in the provision of its mobile platform.
In Parliament
Marked: mentions software and ai directly.
- What discussions they have had with the Competition and Markets Authority on the expected timetable for the Strategic Market Status investigation into…
Asked by Lord Clement-Jones (LD). Microsoft — The CMA launched its Strategic Market Status designation investigation into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem on 14 May 2026.This investigation must be completed… - What assessment the Department has made of the potential impact of Google’s proposed Android developer verification requirements on competition and consumer…
Asked by Zöe Franklin (LD). Google: Software — The Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of Google's proposed Android developer verification requirements. The Government supports competitive digital… - Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of retailers' terms and conditions restricting automated and AI-assisted access to their…
Asked by James Naish (Lab). Retail Trade: Software — As the UK’s principal competition authority, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has powers to address competition problems, including in digital markets.… - What assessment he has made of the potential competition impact of major digital platforms requiring business customers to accept contractual provisions…
Asked by Rebecca Paul (Con). Social Media: Competition — The Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential competition impact described. Responsibility for investigating competition issues in digital… - What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that online platforms effectively identify and remove misleading advertisements relating to pet health and…
Asked by Dan Norris (Ind). Pet Foods: Misleading Advertising — The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions and omissions, that… - What assessment he has made of the potential impact of fraudulent locksmith advertising on (a) consumers and (b) legitimate locksmith businesses.
Asked by Alex Brewer (LD). Locks and Keys: Advertising — The government is aware of concerns about fraudulent locksmiths advertising and the harm it causes consumers and legitimate locksmith businesses. The Digital…
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0. General information, not legal advice.