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UNCTAD launches global consumer product safety framework

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has officially launched the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, providing countries with the first globally agreed framework to strengthen product safety, improve market surveillance and enhance international cooperation.

The launch took place during a meeting in Geneva attended by more than 400 participants from over 80 countries, where governments, regulators and international organisations discussed emerging challenges in consumer protection, competition policy and digital markets.

The Principles, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2025, are intended to help countries respond to increasingly complex global supply chains and the rapid growth of digital marketplaces.

UNCTAD also announced plans to publish a practical Handbook on Consumer Product Safety to support their implementation. Participants stressed that product safety is essential for consumer confidence and that stronger international cooperation is needed as product risks increasingly cross national borders.

Participants also discussed wider consumer protection and competition issues, including the impact of digital markets, cross-border e-commerce and concentrated supply chains.

They called for stronger international cooperation and regulatory frameworks capable of keeping pace with technological change while supporting innovation and consumer trust.

The meeting also launched the Voluntary Peer Review of Argentina’s consumer protection framework, reinforcing UNCTAD’s role in supporting member states through policy advice, technical assistance and the exchange of best practices.

Participants reaffirmed that international dialogue remains essential to ensuring markets remain fair, competitive, and safe during a period of growing global economic uncertainty.

Why does it matter?

The UN Principles for Consumer Product Safety establish a common international reference point for governments seeking to strengthen consumer protection in increasingly global and digital markets. As products are traded through complex international supply chains and online marketplaces, shared principles can help improve market surveillance, regulatory cooperation and consumer confidence.

The initiative also reflects a broader trend towards international coordination on digital commerce and consumer protection. By providing a common framework rather than legally binding rules, the Principles give countries greater guidance while encouraging more consistent approaches to product safety across jurisdictions.

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European Commission preliminarily finds Meta’s addictive platform design breaches the DSA

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that Meta’s design of Instagram and Facebook breaches the Digital Services Act (DSA), arguing that features designed to maximise engagement may encourage compulsive use and fail to adequately protect children and other vulnerable users.

The investigation focuses on platform features including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and highly personalised recommender systems.

According to the Commission’s preliminary assessment, Meta failed to properly evaluate the risks these features pose to users’ physical and mental well-being. Investigators found that personalised recommendations, continuous content feeds and engagement-driven formats such as Reels and Stories can encourage excessive use, particularly among younger users.

The Commission also said Meta failed to adequately consider evidence showing that children spend significant time on Instagram and Facebook during nighttime hours.

The Commission also concluded that Meta’s existing mitigation measures are insufficient. Screen time tools, including those enabled by default for teenagers, can easily be dismissed and do not meaningfully reduce usage.

Parental controls were also found to require considerable technical knowledge and active supervision, while educational resources available through Meta’s Safety Centre were considered inadequate to mitigate the risks associated with addictive platform design.

According to the Commission, Meta should redesign several core platform features, including disabling autoplay and infinite scroll by default, introducing more effective screen-time reminders and reducing the engagement-driven nature of its recommender systems.

The findings are preliminary, and Meta now has the opportunity to examine the Commission’s evidence and submit a formal response before a final decision is adopted. If the infringement is ultimately confirmed, the company could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover under the Digital Services Act.

Why does it matter?

The case represents one of the EU’s most significant attempts to regulate platform design rather than online content. If confirmed, it would establish an important precedent for how very large online platforms design recommender systems, engagement mechanisms and user interfaces under the Digital Services Act, particularly where children and vulnerable users are concerned.

More broadly, the case signals that European regulators are increasingly willing to scrutinise the business models underpinning social media platforms, not just the content they host. That could influence how digital platforms design engagement features well beyond the EU.

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European Commission accepts SAP commitments in ERP antitrust case

The European Commission has accepted legally binding commitments from SAP to address competition concerns over maintenance and support (M&S) services for its on-premises enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.

The commitments follow the Commission’s preliminary finding that SAP may have abused its dominant market position by limiting customer choice, increasing switching costs and restricting competition in the aftermarket for ERP support services.

Under the agreement, SAP will give customers greater flexibility in managing software licences and support contracts. Businesses will be able to split their SAP environments and choose different maintenance providers or support levels for different parts of their systems.

SAP will also allow licence termination in specific circumstances, including reduced support phases, failed implementation projects attributable to SAP, insolvency, major workforce reductions and business divestitures.

Additional commitments include broader access to alternative licensing models, the removal of reinstatement fees, lower back-maintenance charges, clearer contractual terms and an internal mechanism for handling customer complaints related to compliance with the commitments.

The Commission opened its formal antitrust investigation in September 2025 after identifying practices that could have discouraged customers from using independent support providers and increased the cost of leaving SAP’s maintenance services.

Following a market test, SAP revised its proposal before the Commission concluded that the final commitments adequately addressed its concerns. The commitments will apply globally for ten years under the supervision of an independent monitoring trustee.

Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera said the decision would give businesses using SAP’s on-premises ERP software greater freedom to choose maintenance and support providers while strengthening competition in enterprise software markets.

She added that the case sends a broader message that dominant technology companies should not use restrictive commercial practices to lock customers into their ecosystems, particularly as enterprises continue migrating to cloud-based services.

Why does it matter?

The decision reinforces the principle that customers should be able to choose maintenance and support providers without facing unnecessary contractual or financial barriers. For businesses relying on enterprise software, greater flexibility could reduce costs, increase negotiating power and make it easier to adopt competing services.

The case also shows that the European Commission is extending competition enforcement beyond consumer-facing digital platforms to enterprise software markets. As organisations increasingly depend on integrated cloud and business software ecosystems, regulators are paying closer attention to practices that may create customer lock-in and restrict competition after the initial software sale.

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EU court upholds Apple’s DMA gatekeeper designation

The General Court of the European Union has dismissed Apple’s legal challenges to its designation as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The court confirmed that the App Store and iOS qualify as core platform services, meaning Apple must comply with the regulation’s competition obligations.

Apple argued that the different versions of the App Store available across its devices should be treated as separate services. The court rejected that argument, concluding that they all perform the same function of connecting app developers with end users.

The court also dismissed Apple’s claims relating to iMessage as inadmissible. It ruled that the Commission’s decision not to designate iMessage as a core platform service subject to DMA obligations did not produce binding legal effects that Apple could challenge before the courts. The related decisions opening and closing the Commission’s investigation were likewise found to be inadmissible.

The judgement therefore upholds the European Commission’s assessment that the App Store operates as a single core platform service across Apple’s ecosystem. As a result, Apple remains subject to the DMA’s interoperability and fair competition requirements.

The ruling marks an important enforcement milestone for the Digital Markets Act. Apple must continue complying with the obligations imposed under the regulation, which is designed to promote fair competition in digital markets. The judgement was delivered in Luxembourg on 8 July 2026.

Why does it matter?

The ruling strengthens the EU’s enforcement of the Digital Markets Act by confirming the European Commission’s broad interpretation of what constitutes a core platform service. It also signals that courts are prepared to uphold gatekeeper obligations imposed on the largest digital platforms.

For developers and consumers, the decision reinforces the legal basis for measures intended to increase competition within Apple’s ecosystem, including interoperability requirements and greater opportunities for alternative app distribution. More broadly, the judgment may shape future legal challenges brought by other companies designated as gatekeepers under the DMA.

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IMF sees AI supporting global economic growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified geopolitical tensions and rapid technological development as two of the main forces shaping the global economy. According to its latest World Economic Outlook Update, global growth is projected to reach 3.0% in 2026 before rising to 3.4% in 2027, with investment in AI and digital technologies supporting economic activity despite continued geopolitical uncertainty.

The report identifies AI as an increasingly important source of productivity growth and investment, particularly for economies integrated into technology supply chains. Countries involved in AI hardware, digital infrastructure and advanced technology exports are expected to benefit from rising demand.

At the same time, conflict in the Middle East continues to create uncertainty through higher energy prices, supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures. The IMF expects global inflation to rise temporarily in 2026 before easing, although the pace of recovery is likely to vary across regions depending on their exposure to energy markets and technological capacity.

The IMF says governments should strengthen economic resilience by maintaining price stability, rebuilding fiscal buffers and supporting investment in digital infrastructure, energy security and AI adoption.

Why does it matter?

The outlook highlights how economic growth is increasingly being shaped by two competing forces: technological innovation and geopolitical instability. While AI investment is emerging as a driver of productivity and competitiveness, conflict and supply chain disruptions continue to create significant risks for the global economy.

The report also suggests that countries able to invest in AI, digital infrastructure and resilient supply chains may be better positioned to benefit from future growth. At the same time, uneven technological capacity and continued geopolitical uncertainty could widen economic disparities between regions.

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South Korea opens antitrust proceedings over Google app market practices

South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has begun formal deliberation procedures over allegations that Google abused its dominant position in the Android app market.

The case follows an examiner’s report submitted to the Commission, which outlines suspected violations of the country’s Fair Trade Act.

According to the report, Google used its Games/Google Velocity Program, known internally as Project Hug, to provide financial support for services such as Google Cloud, Google Ads and YouTube.

In return, participating game developers were allegedly required to launch games on Google’s app marketplace on terms at least as favourable as those offered to rival platforms.

The examiner concluded that the programme reduced incentives for developers to distribute games through competing app marketplaces, including ONE store, while strengthening Google’s position in the Android app ecosystem.

The allegedly affected revenue was estimated at 14.16 trillion won, or about $9.1 billion. If violations are confirmed, potential penalties could reach up to 6% of that amount.

Google will have an opportunity to respond before the Commission reaches a final decision.

The case adds to wider global scrutiny of app-store competition and the ways dominant platforms use developer incentives, contracts and ecosystem services to shape market access.

Why does it matter?

The case shows how antitrust scrutiny of app stores is expanding beyond commission fees and payment systems into developer incentive programmes and platform-service bundles. If KFTC confirms the allegations, the decision could influence how dominant platforms structure support packages for developers and whether such programmes are treated as loyalty-inducing conduct. It also reinforces South Korea’s role as an active jurisdiction in digital-platform competition enforcement.

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EU examines cloud competition under the Digital Markets Act

The European Commission has held a stakeholder roundtable on cloud computing services as part of its ongoing market investigation under the Digital Markets Act.

The roundtable brought together cloud providers, business users, software providers and technical experts to discuss practices that may affect contestability and fairness in cloud markets.

Discussions focused on interoperability and technical features, financial conditions, and contractual and commercial practices.

Participants examined practical technical, commercial and regulatory approaches that could reduce switching barriers, improve interoperability and strengthen customer choice.

The Commission said the roundtable forms part of a fact-finding exercise to assess whether current DMA obligations are effective in addressing practices that limit competitiveness or are unfair in the cloud sector.

The process is separate from the Commission’s pending investigations into the potential designation of two cloud providers.

The Commission said it will publish a report setting out its findings within 18 months of opening the investigation, and no later than May 2027.

Why does it matter?

Cloud computing is now a core layer of Europe’s digital infrastructure, supporting AI, public services, software markets and enterprise operations. Switching barriers, restrictive contracts or weak interoperability can lock customers into specific providers and reduce competition across the wider digital economy. The Commission’s investigation shows that DMA enforcement is moving beyond consumer-facing platforms towards the infrastructure markets that underpin AI and digital services.

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CJEU court upholds €4.7 billion fine against Google in Android case

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has upheld a €4.1 billion ($4.67 billion) antitrust fine against Google, rejecting the company’s appeal in a long-running case over its Android mobile operating system.

The European Commission imposed the record fine in 2018 after finding that Google had abused its dominant position by requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install Google apps and imposing contractual restrictions that limited competition. The ECJ dismissed Google’s appeal, confirming the Commission’s findings.

A lower EU court reduced the penalty from €4.34 billion to €4.1 billion in 2022 while largely upholding the Commission’s decision. Google has argued that Android increases consumer choice and supports developers, and said it modified its contractual arrangements following the original ruling to comply with EU competition rules.

The judgement comes as the EU continues to intensify scrutiny of major technology companies through both competition law and the Digital Markets Act, alongside investigations into digital advertising and other platform practices.

Why does it matter?

The ruling reinforces the European Union’s long-standing approach to digital competition, confirming that dominant technology companies can face substantial penalties when their market position is used to restrict consumer choice or limit competition. It also strengthens the Commission’s record in pursuing landmark antitrust cases against major digital platforms.

The judgment comes as the EU increasingly combines traditional competition enforcement with newer regulatory tools such as the Digital Markets Act. Together, these frameworks signal that European regulators intend to maintain close oversight of large digital platforms and shape how competition operates in digital markets.

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EU customs reform targets low-value online imports

The EU has abolished the customs duty exemption for e-commerce parcels worth less than €150, introducing a temporary €3 duty on low-value items imported directly from non-EU countries.

The measure entered into force on 1 July 2026 and forms part of the wider EU Customs Reform. It is intended to create fairer competition between the EU retailers and non-EU online sellers while strengthening controls on unsafe or non-compliant products.

The previous exemption was designed for an earlier period of limited cross-border online shopping. The Commission said 5.9 billion low-value parcels entered the EU in 2025, representing 97% of all imported items but only 2% of their total value.

The EU authorities argue that the exemption distorted competition and created incentives to undervalue or split shipments to remain below the €150 threshold.

Under the new system, consumers should not have to pay the duty at the time of delivery. Businesses involved in selling and transporting imported goods will be responsible for customs payment and compliance.

The €3 duty is a transitional measure and will remain in place until 1 July 2028. After that, low-value imports will be treated under the standard customs framework, with duties based on product classification, origin and value.

The reform also introduces Product Identifiers, which become mandatory from 1 November 2026 to improve traceability and safety checks. A separate handling fee for imported e-commerce goods is also expected by November 2026.

Why does it matter?

The change addresses one of the biggest pressure points in the EU e-commerce: billions of low-value parcels entering the single market with limited customs duties and weak product-level data. Removing the exemption could reduce unfair advantages for non-EU sellers, strengthen enforcement against unsafe products and give customs authorities better tools to manage mass e-commerce imports. It also shows how the EU is treating online retail as a trade, consumer protection and digital platform accountability issue, not only a customs matter.

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Australian watchdog sues Amazon over Prime Video contract terms

Australia’s consumer watchdog has launched legal action against Amazon, alleging the company used unfair contract terms when introducing advertisements to Prime Video.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission claims that Amazon’s standard-form contracts allowed the company to make materially adverse changes to Prime services and contract terms without giving annual subscribers a contractual right to refunds or other meaningful redress.

The case concerns contracts with more than one million annual Amazon Prime subscribers between 1 November 2023 and 18 August 2025.

Prime Video had been delivered largely advertisement-free before 2 July 2024. Amazon then introduced advertisements and required subscribers to pay an additional $2.99 per month to keep watching Prime Video content without ads.

According to the ACCC, more than 850,000 annual Prime subscribers had already paid for their subscription when the change took effect. The regulator alleges that those subscribers received degraded service for the remainder of their prepaid term unless they paid extra for the ad-free option.

The ACCC says the relevant contract terms created a significant imbalance between Amazon and consumers, were not reasonably necessary to protect Amazon’s legitimate interests and could cause consumer detriment.

Amazon has since amended some terms to introduce a right to a pro rata refund where annual Prime subscribers cancel their service in response to materially adverse changes.

The case will test how Australian consumer law applies when digital subscription platforms change paid services after customers have already committed to annual plans.

Why does it matter?

The lawsuit raises a broader consumer protection question in the digital economy: how much flexibility should subscription platforms have to change paid services after customers have already paid? As streaming, cloud, gaming and software services increasingly rely on subscription models, regulators are paying closer attention to whether users receive fair notice, real choice and meaningful remedies when platforms alter service quality, pricing or advertising conditions.

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