Regulating GAFAMs

Even though the structuring role and weight of the GAFAMs have been growing for several years, the complaints against them are multiplying. This is evidenced by the complaints lodged against Facebook and Google, with the main charge of hindering competition but also breaches of personal data protection. Faced with the anticompetitive practices of these digital giants, what regulation should be put in place? The answer is far from obvious, given the nature of these companies, whose economic and political weight is major. The GAFAMs are in fact evolving extremely rapidly and benefit from very significant network externalities. These specificities are difficult to reconcile with the long time frame of competition law and regulation. This session will review the various regulatory options, including taxation, dismantling, fines and financial penalties, the GDPR and the Digital Services Act and Digital Market Act, etc.