Sources: the EU is set to launch an in-depth probe into Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal after Microsoft opted not to file remedies to antitrust enforcers (Samuel Stolton/Politico)

Stephanie Bodoni / Bloomberg:
European Commission opens an in-depth investigation into Microsoft’s proposed $69B Activision Blizzard acquisition, setting a March 23 deadline for phase two  —  Microsoft Corp.’s proposed $69 billion takeover of games developer Activision Blizzard Inc. faces an in-depth European Union probe …

Katharine Gemmell / Bloomberg:
The UK’s CMA says Microsoft’s $69B Activision Blizzard acquisition will require an in-depth review and gives Microsoft a September 8 deadline to offer remedies  —  Microsoft Corp.’s planned $69 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard Inc. will be sent for an in-depth review unless …

Samuel Stolton / Politico:
Sources: EU antitrust regulators are preparing to send Meta a “statement of objections” over possibly leveraging its social network to boost Marketplace  —  EU antitrust enforcers are preparing to send Facebook a list of charges over the U.S. firm’s anti-competitive abuses …

Josh Sisco / Politico:
Sources: the FTC is likely to file an antitrust lawsuit to block Microsoft’s $69B Activision Blizzard deal; FTC staff are skeptical of the companies’ arguments  —  The Federal Trade Commission is likely to file an antitrust lawsuit to block Microsoft’s $69 billion takeover …

Samuel Stolton / Politico:
The UK’s CMA launches an investigation into Apple’s and Google’s dominance in mobile browsers and cloud gaming, following a survey that found a “stranglehold”  —  Apple and Google could be forced to loosen their grip on mobile systems after the United Kingdom’s competition watchdog launched …

Foo Yun Chee / Reuters:
Filing: European Commission sets a provisional November 8 deadline to complete the review of Microsoft’s proposed $69B Activision Blizzard acquisition  —  EU antitrust regulators will decide by Nov. 8 whether to clear Microsoft Corp’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of “Call of Duty” …