"Dominance of online platforms" [2020] ELECD 327; in Maihaniemi, Beata (ed), "Competition Law and Big Data" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2020) 75

Book Title: Competition Law and Big Data

Editor(s): Mäihäniemi, Beata

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Section: Chapter 5

Section Title: Dominance of online platforms

Number of pages: 14

Abstract/Description:

This chapter focuses on the dominance of online platforms. It points out that measuring the market power of such companies would denote that we do not focus on the prices of these services. Instead we look at the increasing role of big data and the way in which this data can be monetised. Nevertheless, the choice of proxy for the measurement of market power is more a matter of choice – it does not predominate the assessment itself. It can consist of quality of the service, users’ attention or information. The chapter also notes that the hypothetical monopolist test conventionally used for identifying substitutes comes up against a number of obstacles, especially as applied to dominant companies in digital markets; however, it should still be required, even though in digital markets these borders change rapidly due to technological development and sustainable and disruptive innovations.