EU Ex-Ante Platforms Regulation – Which Way Forward?

In the post-COVID 19 world, the EU has an opportunity to seize the full potential of the digital sector, increasing the benefits for consumers, while fostering a vibrant ecosystem for entrepreneurs and businesses alike. Competition should be at the heart of this European strategy, driving companies to enhance customers’ experience, facilitating market access to new entrants, and promoting existing innovative enterprises. These increased capabilities, however, raise the question of the role of Big Tech: will they now retain an even stronger hold on the digital market? Complementing the ex-post enforcement of competition law with an ex-ante platform regulation could be a possible solution to counteract this eventuality.