"US Government Implements Stricter Merger Guidelines in Response to Digital Economy"
The Biden administration has unveiled draft changes to the US merger review guidelines, marking the first comprehensive update in over a decade. The proposed changes could lead to a significant shift in how the government identifies and scrutinizes mergers and acquisitions that are deemed anticompetitive. The updates include a focus on labor markets, allowing regulators to assess potential harm to worker pay and benefits. Additionally, the revised guidelines address mergers involving "platform companies" in digital markets, reflecting concerns about tech giants and their impact on competition. The draft guidelines are open for public comment until September 18.