digital markets competition and consumers act 2024

Today, the Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) ordered the AA, which owns both AA Driving School and BSM Driving School, to refund more than 80,000 learner drivers over £760,000, and pay a fine of £4.2 million, bringing the total bill to nearly £5 million. The offence? A mandatory £3 booking fee that was not included in the headline price shown to customers at the start of their online journey.

This is the first financial penalty the CMA has imposed under new direct enforcement powers granted to it in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (“DMCCA”). It will not be the last.

A UK government petition demanding changes to consumer law around the sale of video games has passed 100,000 signatures. This milestone triggers consideration for a debate in Parliament and throws the spotlight on a growing international issue.

The petition calls for a change in the law to prevent publishers from disabling or removing access to games after they have been sold, unless consumers are given the right to retain or repair them.

It is part of the wider Stop Killing Games campaign, a grassroots consumer movement gaining traction globally. Alongside the UK petition, a European Citizens’ Initiative has also surpassed the required one million signatures, meaning it will now be formally reviewed by the European Commission (subject to verification) and brought before the European Parliament for a public hearing.