Google LLC / Looker Data Sciences, Inc merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the completed acquisition by Google LLC of Looker Data Sciences, Inc.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 2 December 2019
• Last updated: 16 March 2020 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Electronics
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 2 December 2019
• Closed: 16 March 2020

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
16 March 2020	Decision published
13 February 2020	Decision announced
16 December 2019	Launch of merger inquiry
4 December 2019	Initial enforcement order
2 December to 20 December 2019	Invitation to comment

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

13 February 2020: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by Google LLC of Looker Data Sciences, Inc.

• Full text decision (16.3.20)
• Summary of phase 1 decision (13.2.20)
• News story: Deal between Google and Looker given the go-ahead (13.2.20)

Launch of merger inquiry

16 December 2019: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement notice (17.12.19)

Initial enforcement order

On 4 December 2019, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Alphabet Inc. and Google LLC in relation to the completed acquisition by Google LLC of Looker Data Sciences, Inc.

• Initial enforcement order (9.12.19)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 11 December 2019 (12.12.19)

Invitation to comment: now closed

2 December 2019: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.

These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk.

Published 2 December 2019
Last updated 16 March 2020 + show all updates

1. 16 March 2020

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 13 February 2020

   Clearance decision announced and summary of the decision published.

3. 17 December 2019

   Merger inquiry launched.

4. 12 December 2019

   Derogation published.

5. 9 December 2019

   Initial enforcement order published.

6. 5 December 2019

   Initial enforcement order announced.

7. 2 December 2019

   First published.