What regulation for digital platforms in Europe?

Summary The success of digital platforms and their role in structuring and disrupting certain sectors are not without economic, political and societal concerns. In Europe, as in France, there is talk of setting up a regulation of digital platforms. Without disputing the problems that powerful platforms such as Google, Amazon or Facebook can pose, we will show that a specific regulation would raise many difficulties both on the economic and legal levels. We will point out the costs and inefficiency of a targeted intervention on platforms, given the instability of digital markets and their strong potential in terms of technological and societal innovations. A pragmatic approach based on existing laws seems preferable to remedy the failings of platforms, particularly in emerging markets. This cautious approach is recommended by the OECD and the European Commission in their "Better Regulation" methodology.