In today’s Digest, we cover the CMA designating Google strategic market status in search, India piloting AI chatbot-led e-commerce, and Reddit making a major Madison Avenue hire.

CMA designates Google strategic market status in search

In a landmark move, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially designated Google with strategic market status (SMS) in the realms of general search and search advertising. This designation, confirmed after meeting the necessary legal thresholds, empowers the CMA to pursue targeted interventions aimed at fostering fair competition and innovation across the UK’s digital economy. 

The CMA’s decision follows a months-long investigation launched in January, culminating in a public consultation in June. Over 80 stakeholders contributed feedback, and Google engaged constructively throughout the process. The CMA concluded that Google holds entrenched market power in its core search services, justifying the SMS designation. While Google’s Gemini AI assistant remains outside the scope for now, other AI-driven features such as AI Overviews and AI Mode fall within the designation. The CMA also clarified the inclusion of Google’s news and syndication products, signaling a broad regulatory perimeter.

Importantly, the SMS designation does not imply misconduct nor impose immediate obligations. Instead, it sets the stage for future consultations on potential remedies to ensure competitive openness and fairness for users and businesses reliant on Google’s services.

India pilots AI chatbot e-commerce

India has launched a groundbreaking pilot program that allows consumers to shop and pay directly through AI chatbots, marking a major step in the country’s digital commerce evolution. Spearheaded by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the initiative integrates OpenAI’s ChatGPT with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), enabling seamless transactions without switching apps. Fintech firm Razorpay is facilitating the rollout, with support from Axis Bank and Airtel Payments Bank, while Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude are expected to join the ecosystem soon.

Razorpay CEO Harshil Mathur described the pilot in an interview as “a whole new discovery and commerce experience,” underscoring its potential to reshape how consumers interact with digital platforms. 

Reddit makes major hire

Reddit is preparing to welcome Sharb Farjami into a key leadership role focused on strengthening partnerships with major agency holding companies like Publicis, Omnicom, and WPP. Farjami’s move comes as he steps down from his position as CEO of WPP Media North America, a transition confirmed in an internal announcement circulated Wednesday. While Reddit and Farjami have declined to comment, the role is expected to fill the vacancy left by Alex Underwood, who departed in July to join Smartly, a digital advertising platform.