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. Companies that know more about you can target ads better, predict what you'll buy, and squeeze out competitors. This affects the prices you pay and the choices you have online.
What Could Change
The Competition Bureau could update how it reviews mergers involving data-rich companies. New guidelines might treat control of user data as a competitive advantage worth scrutinizing. Privacy and competition rules could become more connected.
Key Issues
- Does control of big data create barriers that keep new competitors out?
- Should data access be considered in merger reviews?
- How do privacy concerns intersect with 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, and several legal associations. All submissions are publicly available on the Bureau's website.