Regulating Innovation: How the CCPC is Shaping Ireland’s Digital Future

In recent years, the role of Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has expanded significantly, driven by the rise of digital services and artificial intelligence. Equipped with enhanced powers and an additional €4.9 million in funding from Budget 2024, the CCPC is better positioned to address emerging challenges in data governance, digital markets, and AI. But how will this shape Ireland’s regulatory landscape in the years ahead?

CCPC’s Expanded Powers and New Priorities

The CCPC is tasked with enforcing competition and consumer protection laws in Ireland. The Consumer Rights Act 2022 strengthened protections for consumers, covering the sale of goods and services, unfair contract terms, and rights around information and cancellations.

The CCPC’s role has expanded significantly under the Competition (Amendment) Act 2023, the most substantial reform of Irish competition law in decades. This Act empowers the CCPC to impose penalties for anti-competitive behaviour, including fines of up to 10% of a company’s turnover, and introduces a formal whistleblower regime. In its 2024–2026 strategy, the CCPC aims to leverage these new powers to enhance enforcement and compliance outcomes.

The CCPC is also increasing its focus on the digital sector, reflecting its growing responsibilities in areas like data governance, digital services, and artificial intelligence. The Government’s 2024 Budget allocated an additional €4.9 million to support these efforts, specifically targeting the regulation of emerging technologies. 

Putting strategy to into action

In October, the CCPC welcomed the new EU-UK Competition Cooperation Agreement, marking a “significant step towards more effective enforcement of competition law”. The agreement could mean a real advancement in EU-UK relations, opening up a new era of collaborative international competition regulation - one with direct cooperation between the EU Commission, the national competition authorities of EU Member States, and the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). 

In that spirit of international collaboration, just this month, the CCPC joined other EU consumer authorities to call on Apple to stop geo-blocking its services. Co-led by the CCPC and the Belgian and German consumer authorities, an investigation found that Apple had been unlawfully discriminating against European customers based on their place of residence. This investigation follows a broader pattern of regulatory scrutiny under the Digital Markets Act, with the European Commission preparing to issue its first-ever fine under the new framework. 

Sanctioning Apple isn’t the only instance of the CCPC working closely with their Belgian and German counterparts, as the team of regulators is currently scrutinising Chinese shopping giant Temu. The ongoing investigation, which is being carried out through the European Commission’s Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network, has identified practices which may mislead consumers or unduly influence their purchasing decisions. With the company’s European base in Dublin, the CCPC has had a central role in the investigation. 

By actively participating in cross-border investigations and collaborating within the Commission’s CPC Network, the CCPC is putting the principles of international cooperation into practice. Its central role in high-profile cases, such as those involving Apple and Temu, demonstrates how these partnerships translate into tangible enforcement actions. Looking ahead, this collaborative approach positions the CCPC to play an increasingly influential role in the evolving landscape of global competition and consumer protection.

The Future of Regulation in Ireland

Ireland’s recent election outcome may offer businesses a degree of political stability and continuity. Still, the prospect of a stricter regulatory landscape poses significant challenges, particularly for the tech sector, which plays a pivotal role in the Irish economy. International tech firms have long viewed Ireland as a gateway to Europe, benefiting from its favourable business environment and skilled workforce. However, with the CCPC expanding its influence and aligning more closely with EU frameworks like the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, questions are emerging about how the balance between attracting investment and enforcing robust regulation will be struck. For a sector driven by rapid innovation, increased regulatory oversight may bring new challenges for businesses seeking to operate in Ireland. 

Domestically, the CCPC’s growing remit in the digital economy may lead to closer collaboration with the Data Protection Commission (DPC), which has already demonstrated its assertiveness by blocking AI rollouts from companies such as Google, Meta, X, and LinkedIn. As regulatory demands increase, tech firms are beginning to adapt by appointing regulatory experts to their boards and building relationships to navigate the evolving landscape. While some businesses view these measures as necessary compliance costs, others actively engage in policy discussions to advocate for innovation-friendly frameworks. Striking the right balance between fostering investment and ensuring fair practices will be critical as Ireland seeks to maintain its reputation as a global tech hub while aligning with an increasingly stringent EU regulatory environment.