The UK's competition watchdog has announced it is investigating five companies as part of a broader probe into misleading online reviews, with Just Eat and Autotrader among the firms being examined.

The Competition and Markets Authority's investigation focuses on practices related to fake or misleading customer reviews that may deceive consumers when making purchasing decisions online.

Meanwhile, in a separate regulatory action, Italian authorities have launched an investigation into cosmetics retailers Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics over their marketing practices directed at children.

The Italian probe examines whether the companies' marketing strategies and advertising content inappropriately target minors, potentially violating consumer protection regulations governing advertising to children.

Both investigations represent part of broader regulatory efforts across Europe to address business practices that may harm consumers, though they involve different jurisdictions and focus on distinct areas of consumer protection law.