Partner Geert Goeteyn (Brussels–Antitrust) has authored an article in Competition Law Insights on big data. Big data is key to the success of many technology companies, and data-related questions increasingly are at the forefront of competition law. However, the assessment of these questions (and the related issue regarding the interface between competition and data privacy laws) is in its infancy. The article, "Big Data: The Challenges and Questions for Competition Law," considers the various aspects that need to be taken into account in this assessment. It looks at the joint study "Competition Law and Data" by the French Autorité de la Concurrence and the German Bundeskartellamt as well as at recent cases, and charts certain characteristics/features of technology markets that increase potential competition concerns, as well as others that have the effect of dampening the risk of negative competitive effects.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.