By Joe Hoppe

A U.K. regulator has said it intends to launch a probe into the music streaming market, the latest step in its push to increase competition in digital markets.

The Competition Markets Authority said Tuesday that it will carry out work to consider and develop the final scope of a market study, a key tool it uses to identify--and if appropriate, consider how to address--any competition and consumer issues. It will formally launch the study as soon as possible.

The regulator said that the music industry has greatly changed in the last decade, with streaming now accounting for around 81% of all music listened to in the country. A market study would assess whether competition is working well in the sector, the CMA said.

The CMA has a number of other investigations into digital giants underway, including probing Alphabet Inc.-owned Google's "privacy sandbox,", Facebook Inc.'s use of data and Apple Inc.'s AppStore.

Write to Joe Hoppe at joseph.hoppe@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 19, 2021 03:34 ET (07:34 GMT)

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