Regulation 23 January 2026 - 9 February 2026

Capital One Financial Corporation Could Get Capital Relief After Discover Deal as U.S. Basel Rewrite Nears
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Capital One Financial Corporation Could Get Capital Relief After Discover Deal as U.S. Basel Rewrite Nears

U.S. regulators plan a softer rewrite of Basel bank-capital rules, which could benefit Capital One as it absorbs Discover and awaits the Brex deal. The draft is expected in coming weeks and may lower capital requirements for large banks. Capital One completed its $35.3 billion Discover purchase in May 2025 and agreed to buy Brex for $5.15 billion. A proposed 10% cap on credit card rates remains a risk for card-heavy lenders.
March 10, 2026
EU threatens Meta with quick WhatsApp action over rival AI chatbots
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EU threatens Meta with quick WhatsApp action over rival AI chatbots

EU antitrust regulators sent formal charges to Meta over WhatsApp policies blocking third-party AI assistants and are considering interim measures to keep access open during the investigation. Meta disputes WhatsApp’s role as a key gateway and says users can access other chatbots elsewhere. The probe centers on Meta’s move to restrict WhatsApp Business API access to its own AI assistant.
February 9, 2026
EU tightens screws on Google: Brussels moves to open Gemini features and Search data to rivals
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EU tightens screws on Google: Brussels moves to open Gemini features and Search data to rivals

The European Commission opened two proceedings against Google on Tuesday to enforce the Digital Markets Act, focusing on Android interoperability for third-party AI and access to Google Search data on FRAND terms. Preliminary findings are expected in three months, with the process set to conclude in six. Google says it already complies, while EU officials stress equal access for rivals.
January 27, 2026
Ofcom probes Meta over WhatsApp Business data — why the UK is digging in now
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Ofcom probes Meta over WhatsApp Business data — why the UK is digging in now

Britain’s Ofcom has opened an investigation into Meta over possibly incomplete or inaccurate data provided about WhatsApp Business in response to statutory information requests. The regulator said the requests, issued in 2024 and 2025, are critical for its review of the business messaging market. Meta said it will cooperate fully. Ofcom has not specified what information may be missing or when the probe will conclude.
January 23, 2026