The CMA issues restrictive order to prevent any further action in the Microsoft and Activision acquisition

Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal is hit with another curve ball as the United Kingdom’s Competition and Market Authorities (CMA) issues a restrictive interim order doubling-down on its decision to block the deal a few weeks ago.

While the CMA operates as an independent anticompetitive watchdog for the UK, it appears to be taking some bold moves on behalf of the region as it issues an order to restrict Microsoft and Activision from acquiring an interest in one another according to a Business Insider report.

Specifically, the CMA is calling on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard to have “prior written consent” from the regulatory before the two can proceed with any acquisitions related to each business.

Effectively, this would thwart any attempt by Microsoft and Activision to skirt around the UK while still pushing ahead with an acquisition deal if the two were to get the remaining international regulatory bodies to approve.

As of this reporting, neither Microsoft, Activision, nor the CMA have issued any public responses to the order.