EU Commission opens in-depth probe into Thales, Gemalto deal

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission on Monday said it had opened an in-depth investigation into the 4.8-billion-euro ($5.62 billion) purchase of digital security company Gemalto by French aeronautics and space group Thales.

"The Commission is concerned that the merger could lead to higher prices and reduce choice and innovation for customers of hardware security modules," the Commission, which acts as the competition enforcers in the European Union, said.

It added that the new deadline for taking a decision was November 29.

Reuters reported last week that such an investigation would take place.

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(Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; editing by Philip Blenkinsop)