(Economic?) power of digital platforms

Abstract

The paper discusses the main features of the power exercised by digital platforms, assessing its traceability to the concept of economic power. It also seeks to investigate whether the characteristics of such power make it qualitatively different from one exercised by firms operating in other sectors, and particularly its potential repercussions on political power. Turning to remedies, the regulatory and antitrust tools employed in the European context to confront the power of big tech are finally reviewed, highlighting overlaps and critical issues.