Browsing by Author "Grönholm, Annika"

For the past decades, the society, economy as well as the mundane lives of people have been subject to a digital revolution. The undertakings operating in digital markets have become so powerful that their influence is no longer purely economic. Hence, it has also raised competition concerns. Namely, whether current competition policy is still able to fulfil its purposes in the digital environment. The vivid discussion on the topic among scholars and authorities as well as the numerous competition cases, related to digital platforms, prove the currency of the topic. This thesis examines how the existing objectives of competition policy fit into the framework of digital markets. It aims to provide answers to three research questions, which relate to: (i) the current interpretation of competition policy objectives; (ii) the challenges digital markets have imposed on the application of these objectives; and (iii) how the interpretation of these objectives should be modified, for them to fit better into their new operational environment. The focus is on EU competition policy, although reference will also be made to corresponding policies in the United States and in some of the Member States. The thesis concludes that the current scope and application of competition policy objectives is not fit for purpose in digital markets. This is largely due to the significantly different characteristics between digital and “traditional” markets. Particularly, the significance of data is of key concern in the digital markets. Services are often provided at zero-price, hence, policies drafted around price-centric analysis are not entirely suitable to the digital markets. Especially, including non-price parameters into the interpretation of policy objectives should be considered. Furthermore, the thesis also takes a brief look at the newly adopted Digital Markets Act and implications thereof.