Digital Data, Platforms and the Usual [Antitrust] Suspects: Network Effects, Switching Costs, Essential Facility

Abstract

This paper asks whether the large amounts of digital data that are typically observed on large technology platforms - such as Google, Facebook, Uber and Amazon - typically give rise to structural conditions that would lead to antitrust concerns. In particular, I evaluate whether digital data augments or decreases concerns with regard to network effects and switching costs. I also evaluate whether data should be thought of as an 'essential facility.'

Keywords: Plaforms, Antitrust, Network Effects, Big Data, Switching Costs

JEL Classification: M1, L1