Data-related challenges in digital markets

The research project “Data-related challenges in digital markets” focuses on topics at the intersection of two core activities of the Centre: Market dynamics and regulatory framework and Data governance. In this framework, the project will develop two main research lines:

The emerging EU data acquis

This line of research explores, from a legal perspective, the interaction of the Data Governance Act (DGA), Data Act, Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, Artificial Intelligence Act, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, the Political Ads Regulation, on the one hand; and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms (Charter) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), on the other hand.

The aim of this research line is to analyse the interplay between these legislations, looking at how each of these legal acts addresses three horizontal topics: the economic exploitation of fundamental rights, data anonymisation, and international data transfers.

New data business models and EU competitiveness in digital markets

In recent years, the European Union has significantly intensified its regulation of digital markets through legislative initiatives such as the Digital Markets Act, the Digital Services Act, the Data Governance Act, and the Data Act. Additionally, the growing number of decisions made by data protection and competition authorities across European countries underscores this trend. Various stakeholders across sectors, including publishers and digital platforms, are adapting their business strategies to align with the evolving regulatory landscape.

This research strand seeks to examine the legal and economic repercussions of heightened EU regulatory measures on business models and firms operating within the digital economy. Furthermore, it aims to analyze the long-term effects of this regulatory framework on the competitiveness of the EU economy.