Tackling the Challenges Raised by the Digitalization of the Economy: Recent Experiences of the French Competition Authority

Abstract

The digitalization of the economy has brought about new challenges that the French Competition Authority is determined to tackle, both through its enforcement activities and its advocacy tools. These past years the Authority has examined discriminatory practices and the use of price-parity clauses by digital platforms. It has also addressed the specifics of two-sided markets and looked into the competitive pressure exerted by online retailing. Recently, it examined a merger between two online platforms. To develop a better understanding of the particularities of the digital world, the Authority thoroughly examined the workings of the French online advertising market. It works closely with other European competition authorities to develop a shared doctrine on various issues such as open and closed ecosystems, data, or algorithms.