Competition in digital markets

How should we understand competition in markets where data is an implicit commodity in the transaction? This chapter argues that we should understand markets in data as an example of a market for joint products, namely the commodity that the purchaser is receiving and the data revealed to the seller. This model of joint products has implications for competition policy even in environments that might seem to be competitive as to price. Therefore, competition authorities should pay special attention to competition law enforcement in settings involving transfer of data. This chapter provides numerous examples and options for competition authorities to shape their policy responses.