Browsing by Author "Ebrahimzadeh, kimia"

This master's thesis investigates the role of competition law in addressing the issue of excessive data collection and its implications in the context of big data. With the rapid shift towards a data-driven economy, the significance of data protection has grown exponentially, prompting an examination of its interconnectedness with competition policy. Although consumers have access to free products and services, the absence of monetary costs raises concerns about the need for appropriate action and regulation. The thesis argues that a competition policy solely focused on prices may overlook potential welfare harms linked to non-price factors like privacy and consumer choice. Moreover, it contends that excessive data collection can be deemed anticompetitive under EU competition law. The main research objectives of this thesis revolve around exploring whether excessive data collection can be classified as exploitative abuse under competition law and, if so, how it can be addressed. The findings reveal existing inadequacies in competition law and propose potential avenues for competition policy to combat excessive data collection effectively. The suggested approach aims to extend competition law's intervention beyond a narrow focus on prices and integrate a framework based on fair trading conditions and privacy considerations. The topicality and relevance of this research are evident in the current digital economy landscape. By providing a comprehensive examination of competition policy's implications in the era of big data, with a particular emphasis on personal data, this thesis contributes valuable insights and policy considerations to ongoing discussions. Notably, it goes beyond previous articles by encompassing various theories of harm and privacy as quality parameter. Overall, this thesis enriches the understanding of competition law's role in managing excessive data collection, safeguarding consumer welfare, and promoting fair practices in the digital age.