Global Competition Law and Policy Approaches to Digital Markets

Competition authorities around the world have recognized the risks posed to competition by the emerging digital platforms and have been making efforts to address them. They have grappled with the challenge of striking a balance between mitigating the detrimental effects of conduct which limits competition in the digital sector and fostering innovation by digital platforms. This report examines enforcement cases, emerging legislation, soft law approaches including guidelines and market studies cases targeted at digital platforms from around the world for the benefit of policy-makers and competition authorities responsible for monitoring and, where necessary, addressing the changes the digital economy is bringing to the competitive landscape. It is intended to inform them of the policy options being implemented and considered, and the existing tools being leveraged, by their counterparts around the world. This includes understanding the different policy drivers that could explain any differences in approach. This report also explores how international cooperation can improve and advance responses to those concerns and the potential role of UNCTAD in facilitating that cooperation.