Consumer Protection

EU Commission Clears DigitalBridge/TCGL/Fibre Network Merger (M.12352)

The European Commission granted unconditional clearance to the proposed acquisition of joint control over County Broadband Limited, Freedom Fibre Limited, and Truespeed Communications Limited by Truespeed Communications Group Limited (controlled by Aviva Plc) and DigitalBridge Group Inc. The Commission determined the notified operation falls within the scope of the EU Merger Regulation and qualifies for simplified treatment. The decision declares the concentration compatible with the internal market and the EEA Agreement, pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.

Competition Bureau Reaches Agreement with Chartwell on Retirement Home Acquisition

The Competition Bureau has reached a consent agreement with Chartwell Master Care LP to address competition concerns related to its proposed acquisition of six retirement homes from Sifton Properties Limited. The Bureau concluded the proposed transaction would likely result in a substantial lessening of competition in health care services and accommodations provided by licensed retirement homes in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario area. To resolve the Bureau's concerns, Chartwell has agreed to sell its Clair Hills retirement home located in Waterloo, Ontario to an independent purchaser approved by the Commissioner of Competition. The consent agreement has the force and effect of a court order once registered with the Competition Tribunal.

Neuberger/Ares/Onex/Founder/Ryan Merger Control Non-Opposition

The European Commission cleared the proposed acquisition by NB Alternatives Advisers LLC, Ares Management Corporation, Onex Corporation, and G. Brint Ryan of joint control over Ryan LLC, a tax services and consulting firm. The Commission decided not to oppose the operation under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004, declaring it compatible with the internal market and the EEA Agreement. The decision applies the simplified treatment procedure for concentrations under paragraphs 5(b) and 5(c) of the Notice on a simplified treatment.

TPG / Vitality / SoftBank / Cambridge Mobile Telematics Merger - EC Non-Opposition Decision

TPG Inc., Vitality Group International, Inc., and SoftBank Vision Fund (AIV M2), L.P. have been granted clearance to acquire joint control of Cambridge Mobile Telematics Inc. under the EU Merger Regulation. The European Commission issued a non-opposition decision on March 9, 2026, applying the simplified treatment procedure, having concluded that the operation raises no competition concerns. The transaction is declared compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement.

Apollo Funds / Lecta Merger Approved Under Simplified Procedure

The European Commission approved the acquisition of Lecta Paper Industries Intermediate Financing S.à r.l. by Apollo Capital Management, L.P. under case M.12333. The decision, adopted pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004, concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and qualifies for simplified treatment. The Commission declared the concentration compatible with the internal market and the EEA Agreement without imposing any conditions.

EU Closes State Aid Investigation SA.49579 for Peugeot Citroën España Regional Investment Aid

The European Commission has decided to close the formal investigation procedure under Article 108(2) TFEU regarding State aid SA.49579 (2019/C) (ex 2017/N) for regional investment aid to Peugeot Citroën Automóviles España, S.A. The investigation, initiated on 1 July 2019, has been terminated following Spain's withdrawal of its notification on 28 January 2026. Spain will not pursue this aid project further. The decision is published in the Official Journal of the European Union as C/2026/1511 on 10 March 2026.

DOJ OIG Audit of OJP IoT National Training and Opioid Affected Youth Initiative Grants to Oklahoma State University

The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General completed an audit of Office of Justice Programs grants awarded to Oklahoma State University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, examining the Internet of Things National Training and Technical Assistance Program and Opioid Affected Youth Initiative grant programs. The audit identified $292,977 in questioned costs and issued 5 recommendations to the university regarding grant management and compliance with federal requirements.

Acquisition of Joint Control Over Ryan LLC by Neuberger, Ares, Onex

The European Commission has published a merger notification (M.12322) concerning the proposed acquisition of joint control over Ryan LLC by funds managed by NB Alternatives Advisers LLC (an affiliate of Neuberger Berman Group LLC), together with Onex Corporation, Ares Management Corporation, and founder G. Brint Ryan. The transaction is notified under Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the EU Merger Regulation. Ryan is a tax services and consulting firm and provider of tax management software solutions headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The notification is published for transparency purposes and does not constitute a Commission decision on the concentration.

M.12333 Apollo Funds / Lecta Concentration - Candidate for Simplified Procedure

The European Commission received notification on 16 February 2026 of a proposed concentration pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004, whereby Apollo Funds (United States) will acquire sole control of Lecta (Luxembourg). The Commission has designated this case as a candidate for treatment under the simplified procedure, meaning it is expected to proceed with expedited review absent significant competition concerns. Third parties may submit observations to the Commission within 10 days of this publication.

Prior Notification of Concentration Case M.12322 – NEUBERGER / ARES / ONEX / FOUNDER / RYAN

The European Commission received notification on 16 February 2026 of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The notification involves Neuberger, Onex, Ares, and Founder (G. Brint Ryan) acquiring within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Ryan LLC, a US tax services and consulting firm. The Commission invites interested third parties to submit observations within 10 days of this publication. The case is a candidate for treatment under the simplified procedure.

Apollo Funds / Lecta Proposed Concentration

Apollo Capital Management funds propose acquiring sole control of Lecta Paper Industries, a specialty paper manufacturer with seven mills across Spain, France, and Italy, through a debt-to-equity swap. The proposed concentration is filed under Article 3(1)(b) of the EU Merger Regulation and requires EC clearance before completion. Lecta's current ultimate controlling entity is Lecta Ltd, incorporated in the United Kingdom.

KKR / PAG / Sapporo Real Estate Merger Decision

The European Commission cleared the proposed acquisition of joint control of Sapporo Real Estate Co., Ltd. (Japan) by KKR & Co. Inc. (United States) and PAG (Cayman Islands), declaring the operation compatible with the internal market and the EEA Agreement. The decision was issued under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 and the simplified treatment procedure. KKR is a global investment firm offering alternative asset management and capital markets solutions; PAG is an Asia-focused alternative investor with principal offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore; the Target is a real estate developer owning commercial, office, hotel, and residential assets in Tokyo and Sapporo, Japan, including a 70% stake in Yebisu Garden Place.

Audit of the Office of Justice Programs Victim Assistance Funds Subawarded by the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services to Disability Rights Vermont, Inc., Montpelier, Vermont

The DOJ Office of the Inspector General issued Audit Report 26-034 examining Victim Assistance Funds subawarded by the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services to Disability Rights Vermont, Inc., a nonprofit in Montpelier, Vermont. The audit, conducted under the Office of Justice Programs component, identified $42,612 in questioned costs and produced 6 recommendations for corrective action. The full report PDF is available on the DOJ OIG website.

Slovenia Indirect ETS Costs Compensation Scheme 2025-2027 Approved

The European Commission has approved Slovenia's State Aid scheme SA.120932 to compensate energy-intensive undertakings for indirect emission costs resulting from the EU Emissions Trading System passed through in electricity prices for the period 2025-2027. The estimated total budget is approximately EUR 78 million (EUR 26 million annually), with a maximum aid intensity of 75% of eligible indirect emission costs. Beneficiaries include 11-50 undertakings in carbon-leakage-exposed sectors listed in the ETS Guidelines post-2021, subject to conditions including a 30% low-carbon electricity consumption requirement and investment obligations for renewable energy or emissions reduction projects.

Non-Opposition to Concentration: Bain Capital / MCJ (Case M.12310)

The European Commission decided on 2 March 2026 not to oppose the notified concentration involving Bain Capital and MCJ, declaring it compatible with the internal market. The decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full decision text will be made publicly available after business secrets are removed, accessible through the Competition policy website and EUR-Lex.

EU Search Results for TPG

The European Commission's search portal returned no results for queries related to 'TPG'. This indicates a lack of specific documents or cases matching the search term within the EU's institutional databases.

European Commission Competition Case Search Portal

The European Commission has launched a new competition case search portal, providing public access to information on competition cases. This portal aims to increase transparency regarding the Commission's enforcement activities in antitrust and merger control.

DOJ Report on USA PATRIOT Act Implementation

The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General has released a report to Congress detailing the implementation of Section 1001 of the USA PATRIOT Act. The report, posted on March 5, 2026, fulfills a statutory requirement for oversight and transparency regarding the Act's application.

Competition Tribunal Dismisses Google's Constitutional Challenge

On March 4, 2026, the Competition Tribunal dismissed Google's constitutional challenge to the Bureau's abuse of dominance litigation. The Tribunal's decision reinforces its clear authority to order administrative monetary penalties to promote compliance and deter anti-competitive behaviour. The Bureau's underlying case against Google for anti-competitive conduct in online advertising in Canada continues, with the final decision on any penalties resting with the Tribunal.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Information Security Audit FY 2025

The DOJ Office of the Inspector General published Audit Report 26-031, an evaluation of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' information security management program conducted pursuant to the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 for Fiscal Year 2025. The audit identified 5 recommendations for the Bureau to strengthen its information security posture. The report was posted publicly on March 3, 2026, and is available via the DOJ OIG website as a PDF document.

Audit of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Security Controls and BOPNet Pursuant to FISMA 2014, Fiscal Year 2025

The DOJ Office of the Inspector General issued Report 26-032 on March 3, 2026, presenting the results of an audit of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' information security controls and the Bureau of Prisons Network (BOPNet) conducted under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 for Fiscal Year 2025. The report is classified as an Audit type document. BOP management will need to review and address the findings contained in the full report, which is available as a PDF through the DOJ OIG website.

Pre-Merger Notification Threshold Remains $93M for 2026

The pre-merger notification threshold under the Competition Act will remain at $93 million in 2026 following a decision by the Minister of Industry. The two-part notification test requires that the target company's assets in Canada, or revenues from sales in, from, or into Canada exceed $93 million, and that the combined assets or revenues of all parties and their affiliates exceed $400 million. The Competition Bureau reviews these notifiable transactions to determine if they are likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially.