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Microsoft president praises ‘decisive’ competition watchdog after Activision deal drama

'I was very impressed by the tough stand the CMA took while coupling that tough position with decisiveness and clarity'

Microsoft's Brad Smith rubbed shoulders with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other heavyweights at the AI safety summit after a dramatic summer with City regulators
Microsoft's Brad Smith rubbed shoulders with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other heavyweights at the AI safety summit after a dramatic summer with City regulators Photo: Toby Melville/Getty Images

One of Microsoft's most senior staffers has changed his tune on the UK's competition regulator after a six-month tussle with the Competition and Markets Authority.

The tech giant had been locked in a fierce war of words with the City's antitrust watchdog after it blocked its $69bn mega-merger with games maker Activision earlier in the year — despite other international regulators taking a friendlier line on the deal.

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