Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024

Online interface notices

184 Online interface notices

(1) This section applies where the CMA is satisfied that a person has engaged, is engaging or is likely to engage in a commercial practice that constitutes a relevant infringement.

(2) The CMA may give a notice under this section (an “online interface notice”) to—

(a) the person that the CMA is satisfied has engaged, is engaging or is likely to engage in the commercial practice constituting the relevant infringement, or

(b) any other person (subject to subsection (3)).

(3) A notice under subsection (2)(b) may be given to a person who is outside the United Kingdom only if the person—

(a) is a United Kingdom national,

(b) is an individual who is habitually resident in the United Kingdom,

(c) is a firm established in the United Kingdom, or

(d) carries on business in the United Kingdom or by any means directs activities in the course of carrying on a business to consumers in the United Kingdom.

(4) An online interface notice may contain whatever directions the CMA considers appropriate for the purpose of requiring the person to whom it is given to do, or to co-operate with another person so that person can do, one or more of the following—

(a) remove content from, or modify content on, an online interface;

(b) disable or restrict access to an online interface;

(c) display a warning to consumers accessing an online interface;

(d) delete a fully qualified domain name and take any steps necessary to facilitate the registration of that domain name by the CMA.

(5) An online interface notice may be given to a person only if the CMA is satisfied that—

(a) there are no other available means under section 162 or under another provision of this Chapter of bringing about the cessation or prohibition of the infringement which, by themselves, would be wholly effective, and

(b) it is necessary for the directions contained in the notice to be given to avoid the risk of serious harm to the collective interests of consumers.

(6) An online interface notice must—

(a) set out the grounds on which it is given;

(b) state that the respondent has the right to appeal against the notice and the main details of that right.

(7) Where an online interface notice is given, the CMA may publish—

(a) the notice, and

(b) where known, the identity of the person who has engaged, is engaging or is likely to engage in a commercial practice which constitutes the relevant infringement.

(8) Publication under subsection (7) must be made in such form and manner as the CMA considers appropriate for the purpose of eliminating any continuing effects of the relevant infringement.

(9) For the purposes of subsection (3)(c), a firm is “established in the United Kingdom” if—

(a) it is incorporated or formed under the law of a part of the United Kingdom, or

(b) it is administered under arrangements governed by the law of a part of the United Kingdom.

(10) In subsection (4) “online interface” means any software, including a website, part of a website, an application or other digital content which—

(a) is operated by a person (“P”) acting for purposes relating to P’s business or by a person acting in the name of, or on behalf of, P, and

(b) is operated for or in connection with the purposes of giving access to, or promoting, the goods, services or digital content that P or another person supplies.