How Should Big Data Affect Competition Rules?
Official title: White paper on big data
Why This Matters
Ever wonder why the same few tech companies seem to dominate everything? Big data might be part of the answer. The more data companies collect about you, the harder it can be for new competitors to break in. That affects the apps you use, the prices you pay, and how your personal information gets used.
What Could Change
The Competition Bureau could update how it reviews mergers involving data-rich companies. New guidelines might address when data collection becomes anti-competitive. Privacy and competition rules could become more aligned.
Key Issues
- Does big data create barriers that keep new competitors out of markets?
- How should competition authorities evaluate mergers involving data-rich companies?
- What's the relationship between privacy protection and competition policy?
What Happened
The Competition Bureau received written submissions from 10 organizations including the Canadian Bankers Association, Microsoft, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Canadian Bar Association, and several international legal associations. All submissions are publicly available on this page.