Consumer Protection

PhotobookShop Pays $39,600 for Undisclosed Influencer Reviews

Online photobook retailer Tomsem Consolidated Pty Ltd (trading as PhotobookShop) paid $39,600 in penalties after the ACCC issued two infringement notices for misleading influencer reviews on Instagram. Between August 2024 and September 2025, PhotobookShop commissioned influencers on 107 occasions and instructed them not to disclose that free products (valued at $50 to $400) were given in exchange for reviews. The ACCC also found that PhotobookShop edited an influencer's video to remove negative comments about its AI assistant tool being 'a bit fiddly' and 'a bit confusing' without disclosing the edits, changing the overall impression of the review.

ACCC Monitors Domestic Aviation as Middle East Conflict Escalates

The ACCC is actively monitoring Australia's airline industry amid Middle East conflict disruptions affecting international air travel to Europe, including airspace closures and flight cancellations. The report highlights that while consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law are unlikely to apply when airlines cancel flights due to third-party government actions, airlines must not make false or misleading statements about reasons for price increases. Jet fuel prices have risen significantly due to the conflict, placing upward pressure on airfares where capacity is constrained.

SCDCA March 2026: Free Shred Events, Cryptocurrency Scam Education, and Privacy Webinars

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) announces its expanded National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) programming running throughout March 2026, featuring cryptocurrency scam education with a March 4 press conference and webinar, four free document-shredding events across the state (Columbia, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston, and Greenville), and seven educational webinars covering topics including HOAs and the law, state and federal privacy laws for businesses, data breach response, workplace fraud prevention, AI scams, and FTC Safeguards Rule updates. All events are free and open to consumers and businesses.

South Carolina Security Breaches Impacted 2,985,506 Residents in 2025

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs reported that 99 businesses disclosed security breaches affecting 2,985,506 South Carolina residents in 2025, a 56% decrease from 6,710,824 residents affected in 2024. Financial businesses and the health industry each reported 25 breaches, impacting 819,951 and 571,140 residents respectively, while the education sector reported 17 breaches affecting 709,072 residents. Businesses subject to South Carolina's breach notification law must inform residents when their personal information is compromised, and notices affecting more than 1,000 residents are posted on SCDCA's website.

Smart Rental Bonds Digital Transfer System

The NSW Government has announced Smart Rental Bonds, a digital system allowing tenants to transfer their rental bond between properties for a $25 fee, with launch targeted for mid-2026. The system aims to provide cost-of-living relief for the 2.3 million renters in NSW who currently must find thousands of dollars upfront when moving while waiting for their previous bond to be refunded. The NSW Government will pay landlords upfront for any agreed bond claims when tenants move out, ensuring landlords face no financial risk while renters gain improved cashflow flexibility.

Bundeskartellamt Clears Adobe's Takeover of Semrush

The Bundeskartellamt has cleared Adobe Inc.'s proposed acquisition of Semrush Holdings, Inc. in the first phase of merger control proceedings. The competition authority conducted extensive investigations into potential competitive effects, particularly in the emerging field of answer engine optimisation and content management. No serious concerns were raised, and the merger was cleared on the basis that sufficient market alternatives remain available with no risk of market foreclosure from product bundling. The clearance was examined under the transaction value threshold, which applies to acquisitions of companies generating little or no turnover in Germany where the purchase price exceeds EUR 400 million.

SFO Hosts International Economic Crime Conference with France and Switzerland

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced it will host an International Economic Crime Conference in May 2026 with France's Parquet National Financier (PNF) and Switzerland's Office of the Attorney General (OAG) at Drapers' Hall in central London. The conference, the first event hosted by the International Anti-Corruption Prosecutorial Taskforce, will bring together over 70 practitioners from leading economic crime agencies for two days of sessions on case detection, joint investigations, cryptocurrency asset tracing, and non-conviction-based asset recovery. The announcement comes one year after the taskforce's launch in March 2025 and ahead of the UK's Illicit Finance Summit in June 2026.

EU Adopts State Aid Land and Multimodal Transport Guidelines and Block Exemption Regulation

The European Commission adopted on 15 March 2026 the State aid Land and Multimodal Transport Guidelines (LMT Guidelines) and the State aid Transport Block Exemption Regulation (TBER), replacing the 2008 Guidelines on State aid for railway undertakings. The LMT Guidelines set conditions under which State aid for rail, inland waterways, and sustainable multimodal transport may be declared compatible with the internal market, while the TBER exempts certain aid categories from prior notification requirements. Both instruments enter into force on 30 March 2026, with the TBER in place until 31 December 2034 and the LMT Guidelines having no end date.

EU Approves €260M Belgian State Aid for Kairos@C Carbon Capture Project

The European Commission has approved a €260 million Belgian state aid measure for the Kairos@C carbon capture and storage project, a joint initiative by Air Liquide Large Industry NV and BASF Antwerpen NV. The project will capture CO2 from hydrogen, ammonia, and ethylene oxide production facilities in Antwerp and transport it to permanent underground storage in the North Sea, aiming to avoid approximately 20 million tonnes of net greenhouse gas emissions over 15 years. The aid, financed by the Flemish region budget, consists of a €30 million direct investment grant per beneficiary plus ten annual instalments of €10 million per beneficiary upon achievement of minimum GHG reduction targets. The project was selected under the first Innovation Fund call of 2020 with an award of over €365 million, but rising costs due to exceptional inflation required additional support.

EU Approves €200M Spanish State Aid for EV Manufacturing

The European Commission has approved Spain's €200 million State aid scheme to support strategic investments adding manufacturing capacity for the electric vehicle (EV) value chain, under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF). The scheme will provide direct grants for production of battery and energy storage technologies, hydrogen technologies, and critical raw materials for electric vehicles. Aid may be granted to companies throughout Spain until 30 June 2026, in line with Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.

EC Clears France Alpine Rail Freight Operating Aid Direct Grant

France notified the European Commission of a direct grant scheme to support rail freight services on the Alpine corridor between Aiton (France) and Orbassano (Italy). The EC issued a Decision not to raise objections on 16.03.2026, clearing the aid measure under EU state aid rules. The scheme runs until 31.12.2027 with the stated primary objective of coordinating transport. Rail freight operators and logistics companies should confirm whether their operations on the affected corridor benefit from or relate to this aid scheme and maintain documentation in case of future EC review.

Eurazeo / Eiffel / Segula Merger M.12309 Cleared Under Article 6(1)(b)

The European Commission issued a merger clearance decision on March 18, 2026 for the proposed acquisition of Segula by Eurazeo and Eiffel under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation 139/2004 (EU Merger Regulation). The transaction, notified on February 24, 2026 with a provisional deadline of March 31, 2026, concerns engineering activities and related technical consultancy (NACE Rev. 2.1 N.71.12). The decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Union as OJEU C/2026/1377 on March 5, 2026.

EU Non-Opposition to Concentration M.12352: DigitalBridge/TCGL/County Broadband/Freedom Fibre/Truespeed

The European Commission has decided not to oppose Concentration M.12352 involving DigitalBridge, TCGL, County Broadband, Freedom Fibre, and Truespeed. The decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 19 March 2026 under reference C/2026/1821. This non-opposition means the notified concentration may proceed under EU merger control rules without further Commission intervention.

Brookfield/Oaktree Foreign Subsidies Case Decision

The European Commission's competition case database records BROOKFIELD / OAKTREE Foreign Subsidies [FS.100301], a concentration case reviewed under Regulation 2022/2560. The notification was submitted on 10 February 2026, with a provisional deadline of 17 March 2026. The case record confirms that the provisional deadline and suspension period under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) expired on 17 March 2026, indicating the case reached a procedural milestone in the EC's review process.

Dalkia/Eiffage/RATP Solutions Ville/Ville de Paris/SEMOP Merger M.12214

The European Commission notified on 13.02.2026 and issued a decision under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation 139/2004 on 19.03.2026 regarding the proposed concentration involving DALKIA, EIFFAGE, RATP SOLUTIONS VILLE, VILLE DE PARIS, and SEMOP. The provisional deadline was 20.03.2026. The economic activities concerned include production of electricity from non-renewable and renewable sources, distribution of electricity and gaseous fuels through mains, and steam and air conditioning supply (NACE Rev. 2.1 sectors D.35.11, D.35.12, D.35.14, D.35.22, and D.35.3).

Brookfield / Oaktree Concentration Under Foreign Subsidies Regulation

The European Commission reviewed the proposed concentration between Brookfield Corporation and Oaktree Capital Management under Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 (Foreign Subsidies Regulation). The case, notified on 10 February 2026, concerned economic activities in NACE Rev. 2.1 sector L.64.9 (other financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding). The provisional deadline and suspension period under the FSR expired on 17 March 2026, marking the procedural completion of this review stage.

Thermo Fisher / Clario Merger Cleared Under EU Regulation 139/2004

The European Commission issued Decision Art. 6(1)(b) on 19 March 2026, clearing the proposed merger between Thermo Fisher and Clario under Council Regulation 139/2004. The notified concentration involving companies engaged in medical instruments manufacturing, data processing, and human health activities was found not to raise competition concerns. The Commission's provisional deadline for the decision was 23 March 2026, with the case notified on 16 February 2026.

Italy Alpine Rail Service Direct Grant Aid Scheme Approved

The European Commission approved Italy's direct grant aid scheme for the Alpine Rail Service (Autostrada Ferroviaria Alpina) under case SA.119508. The scheme was notified on 10 March 2026 and the Commission issued a decision not to raise objections on 16 March 2026, finding the aid compatible with the internal market. The scheme runs until 31 December 2027 and aims to coordinate transport in the Alpine region. Rail transport operators and logistics companies using the Alpine corridor should assess whether the approved aid affects competitive conditions or their market position.

Dalkia/Eiffage/RATP/Ville de Paris/SEMOP Foreign Subsidies Concentration (FS.100294)

The European Commission Foreign Subsidies case FS.100294 involving Dalkia, Eiffage, RATP Solutions Ville, Ville de Paris, and SEMOP reached a procedural milestone on 20 March 2026 when the provisional deadline and suspension period under Regulation 2022/2560 (Foreign Subsidies Regulation) expired. The concentration notification was submitted on 13 February 2026 and involves economic activities in electricity distribution (NACE D.35.14), gaseous fuel distribution (NACE D.35.22), and steam/air conditioning supply (NACE D.35.3). This is a status update noting the expiry of the procedural suspension period rather than a decision on the merits of the concentration.

MKS PAMP / SOLIT Merger Non-Opposition Decision

The European Commission granted non-opposition to MKS PAMP Group Limited's acquisition of sole control of SOLIT Group AG on 18 March 2026 under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. Both companies are active in precious metals trading and manufacturing, with MKS PAMP focused on business customers and SOLIT Group on retail trade in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The Commission determined the operation falls within the scope of the simplified treatment procedure and declared it compatible with the internal market and the EEA Agreement.

Non-Opposition to Concentration EFMS / DESOTEC M.12272

The European Commission published a notice of non-opposition to the notified concentration involving EFMS and DESOTEC under Case M.12272, clearing the transaction unconditionally. The decision, published in the Official Journal of the European Union as C/2026/1927, confirms that the proposed concentration does not raise competition concerns requiring further review or remedies. Parties to the concentration may proceed with the transaction without imposing commitments or conditions.

CFPB Request for Comments on Mortgage Acts and Practices

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a request for comments regarding its information collection activities related to the Mortgage Acts and Practices (MAP) Rule. This notice opens a public comment period for stakeholders to provide input on the proposed collection.

CFPB Seeks Comments on Interstate Land Sales Act Information Collection

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has published a notice requesting public comments on an existing information collection activity related to the Interstate Land Sales Act. The comment period is open for 31 days.

NSW Probes Misleading Fuel Prices in Statewide Compliance Blitz

NSW Fair Trading has launched a statewide fuel compliance blitz targeting misleading fuel prices under the Minns Labor Government. Inspectors have conducted over 190 service station inspections and issued 13 penalty infringement notices. Under NSW law, fuel retailers must register with FuelCheck and report price changes in real time, ensuring displayed prices match pump prices. Non-compliant retailers face on-the-spot fines of $1,100 or court penalties up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations. NSW Fair Trading is collaborating with the ACCC on enforcement.

ACCC Authorises Fuel Majors to Coordinate Supply with Conditions

The ACCC has granted urgent interim authorisation to the Australian Institute of Petroleum (AIP), its members, and relevant industry participants to coordinate on fuel supply across Australia without breaching competition laws, effective 20 March 2026. The authorisation excludes price-related discussions and is conditional on participants following government direction to prioritise independent distributors and wholesalers. The ACCC will commence public consultation on a final authorisation in due course.

Aidacare Admits Misleading NDIS Customers on Consumer Rights

Aidacare, an NDIS-registered healthcare equipment provider with 66 retail stores across Australia, has admitted to likely breaching the Australian Consumer Law by making false or misleading representations about consumer guarantee rights (January 2022 to May 2025) and using unfair contract terms in standard form contracts (November 2023 to May 2025). The company entered into a court-enforceable undertaking with the ACCC, agreeing to remediate affected consumers, provide interim solutions for delayed assessment of faulty goods, cease using unfair terms, and establish an Australian Consumer Law compliance program for employees. The ACCC was concerned that Aidacare told consumers they were required to pay for repairs or replacements, or were not entitled to remedies, outside warranty periods when statutory consumer guarantees applied.

Competition Bureau Recommends Easing Food Hub Regulatory Barriers

The Competition Bureau Canada published a report on March 19, 2026, recommending that federal, provincial, and municipal governments remove regulatory barriers impeding shared kitchens and food hubs. The Bureau makes three recommendations: harmonize food safety and licensing rules across jurisdictions, clarify compliance expectations and standardize inspection procedures for shared food production facilities, and use shared facilities as testbeds for regulatory innovation. The report targets small and medium-sized food producers, shared kitchen operators, and food hub businesses that face regulatory duplication when operating across multiple regions.

LifeFit Clears Acquisition of 21 Just Fit Fitness Clubs

The Bundeskartellamt has cleared LifeFit Group's proposed acquisition of 21 fitness clubs operating under the "Just Fit" brand in the Rhineland region of Germany. LifeFit Group is a portfolio company of private equity investor Waterland and currently operates 203 fitness centres across Germany. The investigation focused on the Cologne metropolitan area where LifeFit operates six clubs under the "Fitness First" brand and Just Fit operates ten clubs. The merger was cleared without requiring an in-depth (Phase 2) examination because the authority determined that competition in Cologne's city centre is dynamic, with recent market entries such as XtraFit opening a large club on Schildergasse in January 2026.

MKS PAMP / SOLIT Merger Decision

The European Commission cleared the proposed acquisition of SOLIT by MKS PAMP under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation 139/2004, declaring the concentration compatible with the common market. The decision was issued on 18 March 2026, following notification on 13 February 2026, with a provisional deadline of 20 March 2026. The transaction involves companies engaged in wholesale trade of metals, metal ores, fuels, ores, and industrial chemicals under NACE codes G.46.1, G.46.12, and G.46.82, and proceeds under the simplified merger procedure.

EU Clears Aunde/Isringhausen OTO Merger Under Simplified Procedure

The European Commission has cleared the proposed concentration whereby AUNDE GROUP, AUNDE C&S, and AUNDE AS (all part of the Aunde Group) would acquire control of ISRINGHAUSEN OTO within the meaning of the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission issued its decision under Article 6(1)(b) on 18 March 2026, finding that the concentration does not raise serious doubts as to its compatibility with the common market. The transaction involves economic activities in the manufacture of other technical and industrial textiles (NACE C.13.96) and the manufacture of other parts and accessories for motor vehicles (NACE C.29.32).

Deutsche Post / CTT / JVs Merger Cleared Under Article 6(1)(b)

The European Commission issued a decision on 18.03.2026 under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation 139/2004, clearing the proposed concentration between Deutsche Post, CTT, and their joint ventures without commitments. The notification was submitted on 11.02.2026 with a provisional deadline of 18.03.2026, covering postal and courier activities (NACE Rev. 2.1, sector H.53).

ACCC Investigates Anti-Competitive Diesel Supply Conduct

The ACCC has launched a preliminary enforcement investigation into alleged anti-competitive conduct by Ampol Ltd, BP Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, and Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd concerning diesel availability to independent wholesalers and distributors in regional and rural Australia. The investigation, announced on 19 March 2026, follows reports received by the ACCC about diesel supply issues during the Middle Eastern conflict period, with ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb stating the ACCC is closely scrutinising all fuel markets and has received reports of alleged anti-competitive behaviour. The ACCC emphasised this is a preliminary investigation and it has not yet formed a view about these matters, though the agency confirmed the investigation given the significance of the issue and widespread concerns from consumers, businesses, and farmers about fuel pricing and supply.

EC Clears EFMS Acquisition of Desotec Under Simplified Merger Procedure

The European Commission granted unconditional clearance to Case M.12272 on 17 March 2026, permitting EQT Fund Management S.à r.l. (Luxembourg) to acquire sole control of David Topco S.à r.l. (Desotec) under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The Commission determined the notified concentration falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and declared it compatible with the internal market and the EEA Agreement, applying the simplified treatment procedure under paragraph 5(d) of the Notice on Simplified Treatment.

France National Press Distribution State Aid Scheme EC Clearance

The European Commission has issued a Decision not to raise objections (13.03.2026) regarding France's State aid scheme SA.118124 for national press distribution at newsstand. The scheme, registered on 19.02.2026, provides direct grants for sectoral development of the national press and will remain in effect until 31.12.2030. Under EU state aid rules, the Commission found that the measure did not constitute unlawful state aid requiring objection, allowing France to proceed with the distribution support programme.

Paloma Rheem / Groupe Atlantic Foreign Subsidies Concentration Case FS.100313

The European Commission registered case FS.100313 under Regulation 2022/2560 (Foreign Subsidies Regulation), involving the concentration between Paloma Rheem and Groupe Atlantic. Both companies operate in manufacturing and wholesale of heating equipment, domestic appliances, and air conditioning systems. The EC's provisional deadline and suspension period under FSR expired on 18.03.2026, representing a key procedural milestone in the concentration review.

European Commission Merger Case: EFMS / DESOTEC

The European Commission's competition case database records EFMS's proposed merger with DESOTEC under case number M.12272, notified on 23.02.2026 under Council Regulation 139/2004 using the simplified procedure. The transaction covers waste collection, recovery and disposal activities (NACE Rev. 2.1 sector E.38). The provisional deadline for Commission review is 30.03.2026, with prior publication in the Official Journal OJEU C/2026/1293 of 02.03.2026. This is one of several EFMS merger cases listed in the EC database alongside M.12126 (CPP Investments/Neogov, cleared September 2025) and M.11844 (Leigh/Calisen Midco I, cleared February 2025).

EFMS / Desotec: Acquisition of Industrial Purification Solutions Provider

EFMS (EQT Fund Management S.à r.l.) acting as fund manager for the EQT Future investment fund intends to acquire sole control of David Topco S.à r.l. and its operating subsidiary Desotec, a Belgium-based provider of industrial purification solutions using activated carbon technology. The transaction is notified under Council Regulation (EC) 139/2004 and will be reviewed by the Commission under the standard merger control procedure. Third parties with relevant interests may submit observations during the review period.

TPG / Vitality / Softbank / Cambridge Mobile Telematics - Non-Opposition to Concentration

The European Commission notified the parties to Case M.12287 that it had decided not to oppose the notified concentration involving TPG, Vitality, Softbank, and Cambridge Mobile Telematics, permitting the transaction to proceed. The decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 17 March 2026 under reference C/2026/1706. This non-opposition determination was issued pursuant to the applicable EU Merger Regulation procedure.

EC Clears Neuberger/Ares/Onex/Founder/Ryan Concentration Under EU Merger Rules

The European Commission has issued a non-opposition decision in Case M.12322 concerning a concentration involving Neuberger, Ares, Onex, Founder, and Ryan. The decision, published as C/2026/1697 in the Official Journal of the European Union on 17 March 2026, clears the notified transaction without opposition. The EC determined that the concentration does not raise competition concerns under EU merger rules and therefore poses no obstacle to its completion. The parties may now proceed with the proposed transaction in accordance with the EC's clearance.

EFMS / DESOTEC Merger Approved Under Simplified Procedure

The European Commission has approved the proposed merger between EFMS and DESOTEC under the simplified merger procedure. The notification was received on 23 February 2026, with the decision issued on 17 March 2026. The case falls under Council Regulation 139/2004 and involves economic activities in waste collection, recovery, and disposal (NACE Rev. 2.1, Section E.38).

EC Merger Notification: EFMS / DESOTEC (M.12272)

The European Commission received a prior notification of a concentration (Case M.12272) concerning EFMS and DESOTEC, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 2 March 2026. Third parties with a legitimate interest may submit observations on the proposed transaction to the Commission. The case reference is PUB/2026/200.