UK competition regulator probes NortonLifeLock $8.6 billion takeover of Avast

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s competition regulator has launched an investigation into whether a takeover by U.S. cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock Inc of London-listed rival Avast Plc will reduce choice for customers in the country.

The Competition and Markets Authority said on Wednesday it had launched a merger inquiry, inviting comments from interested parties and giving a deadline of March 16 for a preliminary decision.

The deal, announced in August for up to $8.6 billion in cash and shares, aims to create a leader in consumer security software.

(Reporting by Andres Gonzalez, editing by Iain Withers)