The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Meta's commercial terms for businesses using its platforms, focusing on potential breaches of competition law.

Meta's proposed terms, which were set to be revised on November 20, would allow the company to collect content from news publishers' websites without their consent, raising concerns about unfair trading conditions for UK businesses.

The CMA is utilizing its powers under the Competition Act 1998 to investigate whether Meta holds a dominant position in the relevant market and if its terms represent an abuse of that position.

Meta had initially planned to implement changes on October 30 but postponed them following discussions with the CMA. The company has since paused the rollout pending further consultation with industry stakeholders.

CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell emphasized the importance of fair terms for businesses relying on digital platforms to reach customers, stating that the investigation aims to address concerns raised by news publishers and other affected parties.

As the investigation is in its early stages, no conclusions have been drawn regarding potential law violations. The CMA will gather evidence from Meta and third parties to assess the situation thoroughly.

Additionally, the CMA is seeking information on Meta's new business subscription service and its implications for small businesses, although this falls outside the current investigation's scope.