Thread by @GregorySCrawfor

This is a great analysis by @Caffar3Cristina and @ProfFionasm of the strengths and weaknesses of the EC's (first draft) Digital Markets Act. There is a lot here worth promoting, so a short thread summarizing/emphasizing on the parts I liked most.
voxeu.org/article/europe…

First, a discussion of the organizing principles of the DMA: not old-fashioned utility (price/access) regulation, but to promote entry and encourage fairness.

Second, a *very* useful mapping of (a) gatekeeper defns & (b) proscribed behavior into targets: obv GAFAM, but also Oracle & SAP [intentional?], w/ others meeting some but not all thresholds (Booking, Spotify, Uber). Lots of links in the f/notes to justify their decisions.

Third, convincing arguments that the regs need to consider *business models* (ad-funded, transactions, OpSys ecosystems) b/c the economics making s/o a gatekeeper differs across these (types of EOS, types/directions of net effects, pot. for multi-homing and disintermediation).

Fourth, the comparison to the UK's proposed regs is particularly good. The DMU would cover exclusion, exploitation, *and* consumer protection --> an enforceable code of conduct specific to the src of a gatekeeper's mkt power. Begs the Q: can the DMA move in this direction???

Last, flags two big omissions: little on data exploitation & nothing on mergers, topics at the heart of the disastrous Google-Fitbit merger (as @Caffar3Cristina & I summarized in Dec). Highlight that these need to be addressed for the DMA to be effective.

https://twitter.com/GregorySCrawfor/status/1341332072879800321

Overall, a great analysis of the EC's upcoming digital market regulations. Essential reading for antitrust followers (and - hopefully - policymakers!).