Adobe: consumer protection enforcement case
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating suspected infringements of consumer protection law in relation to an early termination fee term for certain products provided in the UK by Adobe Systems Software Ireland Limited (trading as Adobe).
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 19 March 2026 | Investigation opened |
| March 2026 to September 2026 | Initial investigation: information and evidence gathering (next case update autumn 2026) |
Case opening
19 March 2026: The CMA has opened an investigation into suspected infringements of consumer protection law by Adobe Systems Software Ireland Limited, trading as Adobe.
The CMA is investigating Adobe over an early termination fee term for some of its membership plans, specifically whether the early termination fee term is an unfair term in a consumer contract that binds consumers, and whether the presentation of information about the early termination fee term is an unfair commercial practice involving a misleading omission.
The CMA will now gather and analyse further evidence to determine whether the company has infringed consumer protection law.
At this initial stage, it should not be assumed that Adobe has infringed consumer protection law and no finding has been made.
- Press release: CMA investigates Adobe over concerns about cancellation fees (19.3.26)
Contact
- Sabrina Basran, Director
- Hayley Fletcher, Senior Responsible Officer
Personal information
Your name and contact details are your personal data. The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its consumer protection investigation under Part 8 the Enterprise Act 2002. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.
For more information about how the CMA handles personal information, please see our personal information charter.