Política antitruste em mercados digitais: o caso das Big Techs

Abstract

The antitrust policy in digital markets is an increasingly important topic in academic discourse. In recent years, with the growing dominance of a select group of companies known as Big Techs, not only have markets been affected, but also the lives of their users. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze and comprehend the enforcement of competition in digital markets, highlighting the primary challenges posed by the unique characteristics that distinguish these markets from others. To accomplish this objective, a theoretical review of traditional antitrust policy and its fundamental framework was conducted, along with an examination of the key peculiarities of the digital context, which will be further highlighted in four case studies involving major companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook. These case studies aim to demonstrate how antitrust authorities are addressing the issue and how companies are reacting to it.