The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally cleared NortonLifeLock Inc's proposed $8.1bn acquisition of Avast, concluding that the deal does not raise competition concerns in the UK.
After an in-depth probe launched in March, the watchdog found that a merged business would still face significant competition from rivals McAfee and other smaller companies, while Microsoft will also be strengthened as a competitor.
Kirstin Baker, chair of the CMA inquiry group, said: “Millions of people across the UK rely on cyber safety services to keep them safe online.
"After gathering further information from the companies involved and other industry players we are currently satisfied that this deal won't worsen the options available to consumers. As such, we have provisionally concluded that the deal can go ahead."
The CMA is due to issue its final report on the merger early next month.
