The evolution of antimonopoly regulation of digital platforms

Abstract

This paper provides comprehensive analysis of the evolution of approaches to antimonopoly regulation of digital market participants, the so-called “digital platforms”. So far business practices of digital platforms and their compliance with the antitrust rules have been widely studied by both the watchdogs of various countries and the expert community. However, a few years ago the research into these issues was not that thorough neither in science nor in practice Today, with sufficient experience on regulation of digital markets, legal acts are being drawn up in various jurisdictions that cover approaches to assessing the market position of digital platforms, as well as acceptable and unacceptable practices. Besides, specific control mechanisms are being designed to deter antitrust violations in digital markets. At the same time, digital technologies are evolving too fast. This will inevitably pose new challenges to regulators and science. New digital services, business models and options for expanding markets, for example, by developing ecosystem products, will appear. The paper presents analysis of the main stages in the development of antimonopoly regulation of digital markets: from the first antitrust cases against IT-companies to creation of special regulatory and control mechanisms of digital platforms. Furthermore, potential development of digital markets and their antitrust regulation both in Russia and abroad is considered. The paper offers review of legal acts and regulatory initiatives in the area of digital markets in different regions worldwide and refers to the key antitrust cases that have affected the regulatory approaches.