Defining 'Big Data' in Antitrust

Abstract

This paper provides a definition of “big data” in antitrust. While big data has become an important topic in the antitrust literature and in competition policy practice, no clear-cut definition of big data has been provided yet. This contribution fills a gap clarifying, that a big data definition should not be volume centred but instead include aspects of data analysis and the variety of data. The definition provided in this paper can resolve uncertainties that prevail in the big data antitrust debate and contribute to assess market entry and competitive pressure in data related markets for future antitrust analysis.

JEL Classification: K21, L44, L86