The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said that it is examining Qualcomm's proposed takeover of Israeli auto-chip maker Autotalks over fears the deal would lessen competition in the UK.

Qualcomm announced that it had agreed to acquire Autotalks in May, in a deal worth an estimated $350-400 million. The San Diego-based Qualcomm at the time said that the takeover of Autotalks, which produces chips used in crash-prevention technology in vehicles, would help it to expand its automotive business.

The CMA on Friday said it was launching a probe into the deal, and has invited comments.

EU regulators last month said that Qualcomm would have to seek antitrust approval, while a number of reports have said that the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is expected to open its own in-depth probe.

Earlier this week, Qualcomm defeated a consumer lawsuit in California federal court which alleged that the company's contracts with device manufacturers had artificially boosted the cost of mobile phones in violation of US antitrust law.

The company has also announced the launch of the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 for Meta’s Quest 3 virtual reality headset, and a new Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 for the updated Meta-powered Ray Ban smart sunglasses.

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