Challenges for Competition Policy in a Digitalised Economy

This study describes the challenges for competition policy in relation to the digital economy. It explores the specific characteristics of digital economy markets and how these characteristics impact competition policy. The study focusses on competition policy and its instruments such as anti-trust laws, merger regulation, State aid and sector regulation. Neighbouring policy fields such as copyright and data protection are outlined where important but not analysed in detail. This study was prepared by Policy Department A at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON).