The concept of "digital" economy is becoming one of the most common terms used to refer to economic processes and activities in the economic sphere of the information society. However, its meaning is ambiguous. The scientific, economic and regulatory literature has developed different approaches to its interpretation. Understanding the essence of the digital economy as a phenomenon is especially important for regulatory documents, as they serve as a guide to action. It is in them, as studies show, that inaccuracies and ambiguities in the definition of the digital economy in our country are allowed. Turning to scientific research in the field of economics shows that scientists point out possible negative consequences of an inaccurate understanding of the essence of the phenomenon, which is the basis of the quality of life of the country's population. To mitigate these consequences, it is necessary to conduct systematic studies of the phenomenon of the digital economy with a complex of sciences, such as philosophy, sociology, economics and social management.