The future of technological monopolies in the 21st century – stocktaking from a competition law perspective

Technology-driven business models have challenged traditional competition law (antitrust law) enforcement in recent decades. Online platforms have an inevitable impact on our living conditions. The appreciation of the importance of (personal) data, the big data solutions and algorithmic decision-making became part of everyday life; it shapes the course of business, the way of keeping personal and maintaining social relations. The surprising fact is that the precarious digital transformation happened with the due assistance of the competition law watchdogs without them being able to control the market structure or even realising the characteristics of the online markets. The professional awakening in the 2010s concerning the online markets revealed that new methods are needed for effective competition law enforcement in the digital era. The United States accelerated the law enforcement against the tech giants, while the EU put an emphasis on the legislation in taming the gatekeeper platforms.

Given the all-encompassing presence and the inevitable role of the technology in organising the business and social life, the core question of the research is to understand how technology eventually effects humans and their relations. The research embraces the competition policy approach that also emphasises the autonomy of the consumer, besides the market structure itself. The research aims to explore the context of the challenges of the digital era, promote awareness in connection with the effects of the technological-driven economy and pose the rights questions to provide solid answers that reflect on a holistic understanding of human being. 

Researchers participating in the project:

Research project leader: András Pünkösty
The research is conducted with the collaboration of PPCU Competition Law Research Centre.