Platform economics and digital markets: antitrust regulation issues in the context of globalization

in the context of globalization, the platform economy is becoming the dominant model, transforming traditional digital markets and creating fundamentally new challenges for antitrust regulation. The key problem is that classic competition law tools, which are geared toward traditional markets, often prove inadequate for assessing the complex nature of platforms, which can exhibit signs of monopolization even when there are formally multiple players. The article analyzes the specific characteristics of platforms, such as network effects, the use of big data, and multilateralism, which become sources of market power. The main focus is on new forms of competition restriction, including platform bias, algorithmic collusion, and strategies aimed at absorbing potential competitors (kill acquisitions). In conclusion, the article justifies the need to adapt antitrust legislation and proposes possible approaches to regulation, including ex ante analysis (preemptive control) and the establishment of special rules for digital "gatekeeper" companies.

platform economy, antitrust regulation, digital markets, network effects, ex ante regulation, Big Data