An Assessment of the Problems Caused by Imperfect Competition in Digital Markets and Regulatory Measures
Chapter from the book:
Başarır,
Ç.
&
Yılmaz,
Ö.
(eds.)
2024.
The Transformative Power of Technology in Social Sciences: New Interdisciplinary Approaches.
Synopsis
Digital markets are complex structures shaped by dynamics such as network effects, data usage, and architectural control of digital platforms. These characteristics increase problems such as market dominance and competition violations, and regulatory measures are needed. In this context, this study aims to analyze the problems caused by incomplete competition in digital markets and to evaluate the development process of regulatory policies aimed at eliminating these problems. The study particularly reveals how large digital platforms use user data to gain competitive advantage and make it difficult for small firms to enter the market. The role of regulations such as the Digital Market Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) of the European Union in efforts to limit the misuse of digital platforms and increase competition is emphasized, and antitrust cases in the USA, especially applications against Microsoft, Google, and Facebook, are discussed with their impact on the shaping of regulatory policies. The study evaluates both the short-term transparency-enhancing effects of these regulations and the potential to restructure the innovation and competition environment in the long term. The importance of evaluating global cooperation, structural, and behavioral regulations together in the regulation of digital markets is emphasized.