Gatekeepers of digital markets

Dominant digital markets as gatekeepers, a sort of front-line regulator, is a turning point in competition law enforcement

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has recently issued a spate of orders penalising entities for abusing their dominant positions in digital markets. While covering new grounds, these orders expect digital platforms to serve as gatekeepers to maintain market contestability.

A platform that provides a gateway between consumers and producers must not impose terms that restrict users’ ability to compete and innovate. The CCI holds that any condition imposed on business users by the gatekeepers or platform operators should be fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory. It is like a firm in the business of laying highways. Once a highway is laid, it