Compliance & Ethics

New Zealand Court Fines Courier Firms After Cartel Investigation

Two companies operating in New Zealand’s courier market have been ordered to pay a combined $724,000 USD ($1.225 million NZD) after the country’s competition regulator uncovered cartel conduct involving agreements that restricted competition between courier providers.

Japan Opens Antitrust Investigation Into Microsoft Over Cloud Licensing Practices

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has opened a new investigation into Microsoft, examining whether the company’s licensing practices around its enterprise software may be steering customers toward its own cloud platform and away from competing services.

OCC Moves to Ease Compliance Burden on Community Banks With Rule Changes

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has finalized two rule changes aimed at reducing compliance burdens for community banks, eliminating an outdated reporting requirement and expanding streamlined approval pathways for certain corporate activities.

OPBAS Reports Stronger AML Oversight but Questions Whether Enforcement Goes Far Enough

The UK’s anti-money laundering oversight regime for lawyers and accountants is stronger than it was in 2018. But according to the latest report from the Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision, it is not yet where it needs to be.

UK CMA Opens Investigation Into Hilton, IHG & Marriott Over Use of Shared Hotel Data Platform

The UK’s competition watchdog has turned its attention to the hotel sector, opening an investigation into whether some of the world’s largest hotel chains shared competitively sensitive information through a common data analytics platform.

Belgian Competition Authority Opens Probe into Google’s Role in Online Advertising Market

Belgium’s competition watchdog has formally opened proceedings against Google over its practices in the online advertising sector, adding fresh regulatory pressure to a business model that sits at the heart of the digital economy.

OCC Moves to Operationalize the GENIUS Act With Proposed Stablecoin Rule

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has taken a step toward shaping the future of dollar-backed digital assets, issuing a proposed rule to implement the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, better known as the GENIUS Act.