‘The Social Network no. 2: The European Commission conditionally clears the Microsoft acquisition of LinkedIn

Recently, the European Commission has conditionally authorized the Microsoft acquisition of LinkedIn by imposing a number of remedies to address the competition problems, mainly in the shape of foreclosing effects, that are expected to stem from the transaction in the market for professional social network services. From what can be inferred from the press release published on its site competition website, it appears that to vet the Microsoft/LinkedIn merger the Commission may have followed a stricter approach than its past decisional practice concerning digital markets mergers.

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