IPA Reacts to CMA’s Provisional Ruling on Google’s Ad Tech Practices

The IPA has today (6th September 2024) issued its reaction to the provisional ruling from the CMA into Google’s ad tech practices.

Says IPA director general, Paul Bainsfair, “On behalf of our agency members and their clients, as well as for the benefit of the public - as set out in our Royal Charter, the IPA has always championed a competitive, pluralistic media landscape. As such, we have been carefully observing the CMA’s investigation, as well as parallel investigations in the US and EU.

“Noting they are provisional, the CMA’s findings of ongoing “abuse of dominant positions through the operation of both publisher ad server and buying tools to restrict competition in the UK” are at odds with the best interests of our members and the advertisers they operate on behalf of.

“As the CMA has said, they will now decide what they deem may be required to ensure these anti-competitive practices cease; and what final representations from Google are made before they reach their final decision. We shall continue to monitor this closely.”