Abstract
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) aims to ensure
contestability and fairness in digital markets, particularly focusing on
regulating Big Tech companies. The paper explores the DMA's capacity to address
both current and future challenges in digital market contestability and
fairness, spotlighting the trend towards platform integration and the potential
rise of "super-apps" akin to WeChat and KakaoTalk. Specifically, it
investigates WhatsApp, owned by Meta, as a gatekeeper that might expand its
service offerings, integrating additional functionalities like AI and metaverse
technologies. The paper discusses whether the DMA's obligations, such as mandated
interoperability and data portability, can mitigate the emergent risks to
market fairness and contestability from such integrations. Despite recognizing
that the DMA has the potential to address many issues arising from platform
integration, it suggests the necessity for adaptability and a complementary
relationship with traditional antitrust law to ensure sustained contestability
and fairness in evolving digital markets
[Very pleased to share with you, dear @Wavesblog Reader, my first draft (short paper because I had a word limit, submitted to a journal) and thankful for any comment you might have: simonetta.vezzoso@unitn.it]
