What can we learn about the future of consumer rights from the merger between Microsoft and Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard?
When Labour came into power in 2024, they accused regulators like Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) of inhibiting growth and appointed influential figures from the business world into key positions and advisory roles. This includes a former Amazon boss being made the head of the CMA, or as one lawyer observed “A monopolist had been appointed to lead the anti-monopoly watchdog”.
In today’s episode Ethan Shone tells us what we can expect from a government that has put growth and prosperity for business ahead of the rights of everyday consumers.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/newsletters/
In Solidarity is openDemocracy’s podcast about people, power, and politics. Support the show by visiting https://www.openDemocracy.net/donate/
Credits:
Presented by James Battershill
Story production by Ayodeji Rotinwa
Audio engineering by James Battershill
Special thanks to Indra Warnes
Theme song ‘Odyssey’ performed by Edward Abela
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:28 Why do regulatory bodies matter?
04:35 Who is influencing the CMA now?
07:25 Why are Labour taking this 'anti-consumer' approach?
10:15 Who should we be paying attention to?
14:09 What can we expect from Labour based on this trajectory?
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