CMA Investigates Adobe for Consumer Protection Law Infringements

UK CMA Publications

Filed March 19th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened an investigation into Adobe Systems Software Ireland Limited over suspected infringements of consumer protection law. The investigation focuses on early termination fee terms and the presentation of related information for certain Adobe products sold in the UK.

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What changed

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated an investigation into Adobe Systems Software Ireland Limited concerning potential violations of UK consumer protection law. Specifically, the CMA is examining Adobe's early termination fee terms for certain membership plans, questioning whether they constitute an unfair contract term for consumers. Additionally, the investigation will assess if the way information about these fees was presented amounts to an unfair commercial practice due to misleading omissions.

While this is an initial stage and no infringement has been confirmed, Adobe may need to cooperate with the CMA's evidence gathering process. Companies operating in the UK and offering subscription services with early termination clauses should review their contract terms and disclosure practices to ensure compliance with consumer protection laws. The CMA will provide its next update in autumn 2026.

What to do next

Review early termination fee terms for compliance with UK consumer protection law
Assess the clarity and completeness of information provided to consumers regarding cancellation fees

Source document (simplified)

Adobe: consumer protection enforcement case

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating suspected infringements of consumer protection law in relation to an early termination fee term for certain products provided in the UK by Adobe Systems Software Ireland Limited (trading as Adobe).

From: Competition and Markets Authority Published 19 March 2026 Case type: Consumer enforcement Case state: Open Market sector: Electronics Opened: 19 March 2026

Case timetable

| Date | Action |
| --- | --- |
| 19 March 2026 | Investigation opened |
| March 2026 to September 2026 | Initial investigation: information and evidence gathering (next case update autumn 2026) |

Case opening

19 March 2026: The CMA has opened an investigation into suspected infringements of consumer protection law by Adobe Systems Software Ireland Limited, trading as Adobe.

The CMA is investigating Adobe over an early termination fee term for some of its membership plans, specifically whether the early termination fee term is an unfair term in a consumer contract that binds consumers, and whether the presentation of information about the early termination fee term is an unfair commercial practice involving a misleading omission.

The CMA will now gather and analyse further evidence to determine whether the company has infringed consumer protection law.

At this initial stage, it should not be assumed that Adobe has infringed consumer protection law and no finding has been made.

Press release: CMA investigates Adobe over concerns about cancellation fees (19.3.26)

Contact

general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk

Sabrina Basran, Director
Hayley Fletcher, Senior Responsible Officer

Personal information

Your name and contact details are your personal data. The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its consumer protection investigation under Part 8 the Enterprise Act 2002. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.

For more information about how the CMA handles personal information, please see our personal information charter.