The UK’s new regulatory action against Google raises a critical strategic question: is this a solo act, or is it part of a coordinated global effort to rein in Big Tech? The answer appears to be a bit of both, reflecting the UK’s unique post-Brexit position.
On one hand, this is very much a solo act. The UK is using its own sovereign law, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, and its own independent regulator, the Competition and Market Authority (CMA). The final rules and remedies will be tailored for the UK market, asserting the country’s ability to forge its own path after leaving the EU.
On the other hand, the UK is clearly not acting in a vacuum. The themes and proposed remedies are strikingly similar to those being pursued by the EU under its Digital Markets Act (DMA) and by antitrust authorities in the US. Concepts like “choice screens” and concerns about “self-preferencing” are part of a shared international regulatory language.
This suggests a strategy of informal alignment. The UK is watching its allies, learning from their experiences, and adopting similar goals, which strengthens the collective pressure on Google. As former CMA director Tom Smith noted, the new law gives the UK the “legal ability to follow suit” with the US and EU, suggesting a conscious decision to join a common cause.
This hybrid approach allows the UK to maintain its regulatory independence while benefiting from the leverage of a broader, like-minded international coalition. It’s a pragmatic strategy that aims to get the best of both worlds: sovereign control combined with global impact.