

The CMA then has a further 5 working days to consider whether to accept any offer instead of referring the case for an in-depth phase 2 investigation. NortonLifeLock and Avast now have 5 working days to submit proposals to address the CMA’s competition concerns. Unless the companies can offer a clear-cut solution to address our concerns, we intend to carry out an in-depth phase 2 investigation. NortonLifeLock’s proposed purchase of Avast could lead to a reduction in competition in the UK and ultimately a worse deal for consumers when looking for cyber safety software. We are living more of our lives online and it is vital that people have access to competitive cyber safety software when seeking to protect themselves and their families. This could lead to UK consumers getting a worse deal when looking for cyber safety software in the future.ĭavid Stewart, CMA Executive Director, said:

Products include antivirus software (also known as endpoint security software), privacy software (such as VPNs) and identity protection software.Īs the companies are close competitors, with few other significant rivals, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is concerned that if completed the proposed deal could lead to a reduction in competition in the UK market. NortonLifeLock and Avast both offer cyber safety software to consumers under a variety of different brands.
