Online platforms inquiry explores competition and market dominance
30 October 2015
On Monday 2 November the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee hears from technology sector and competition experts.
- Parliament TV: Watch the evidence session
- Inquiry: Online platforms and the EU Digital Single Market
- EU Internal Market Sub-Committee
Witnesses
The evidence session takes place on Monday 2 November in Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster.
At 4.15pm:
- Richard French, Legal Director, Digital Catapult
- Matthew Fell, Director of Competitive Markets, CBI
- Antony Walker, CEO, TechUK
At 5.15pm:
- Alex Chisholm, Chief Executive, Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
- Nelson Jung, Director of Mergers Group, CMA
- Daniel Gordon, Senior Director, Markets, CMA
The Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee's investigation into online platforms looks at issues around market dominance. The Committee hears from figures from the world of technology and data management, as well as the Competition and Markets Authority.
The Committee is carrying out an inquiry examining the benefits and problems caused by online platforms, as embodied by companies such as Amazon, Google, Uber and Airbnb.
Likely questions
Questions which the witnesses are likely to face include:
- What are the strengths of the UK digital economy and online platforms?
- Do fragmented markets hinder the EU digital economy from keeping up with the US?
- What are your concerns about the dominance of some online platforms?
- Is competition enforcement sufficient?
- Does competition only concern price?
- Might the effects of dominance in these markets become more apparent in the long term?
- Do regulators need to be more prescriptive in setting privacy standards?
- Should the Commission try to reduce 'lock-in' and 'switching costs' for consumers? If so, how?
Further information
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