Customizing tools for antitrust regulation of digital markets as an element of successful competition policy amidst global challenges

The changing nature of competitive relations in the face of severe restrictions, the emergence of new business models of digital platforms, characterized by dynamism, innovation and increased market pressure on the competitive environment, require the development of methodological approaches to antitrust regulation that take into account the specifics of the markets. Based on an assessment of a cross-network effect, the interaction of user groups in transactions and the degree of openness of the platform to new participants, it is proposed to establish the geographical and commodity boundaries of the markets that the digital platform uses. The importance of conducting an analysis focused on future potential competition in digital markets is increasing in order to understand the trends in the development of the digital world. The experience of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation of law enforcement in relation to digital platforms is reflected. The directions in the practice of regulating digital markets are shown. They are as follows: focusing efforts on collecting empirical data on competition and barriers to entry into technology markets, ensuring the protection of the interests of consumers of digital services as a prerequisite for compliance with the requirements of antitrust legislation. A set of tools for suppressing cartels at electronic auctions used in OECD member countries is presented. These tools include mitigation of penalties for providing information, digital screening, digital verification methods, and digital detection tools. The dynamics of the suppression of cartels at electronic auctions by the antimonopoly authorities in Russia is estimated.

antitrust regulation, digital markets, digital platforms, electronic trading cartels