The Turkish Competition Authority announced the launch of its study “Competition Policies in the Digital Age,” signalling a more structured approach to addressing competition challenges in digital markets.
The Authority highlights that competition policy plays a fundamental role in economic governance, acting as a framework that supports innovation, productivity, and growth. However, rapid digitalization is reshaping market dynamics in ways that challenge traditional enforcement tools. The increasing importance of digital platforms, data-driven business models, and ecosystem strategies is altering how firms compete and how market power is acquired.
Digital markets exhibit structural features—such as strong network effects, economies of scale, and the strategic use of data—that allow companies to achieve and sustain dominant positions quickly. These characteristics can raise barriers to entry, weaken competitive pressure, and accelerate market concentration. As a result, competition authorities are increasingly required to reassess their analytical frameworks and intervention tools.
The Turkish Competition Authority has already developed experience in this area through investigations and sector inquiries. The new study aims to consolidate this knowledge and provide a systematic assessment of competition issues in digital markets. It will analyse global trends, examine the positioning of key market players, and identify emerging risks.
A central focus of the study is the growing debate over ex-post versus ex-ante enforcement. While traditional competition law intervenes after harmful conduct occurs, this approach may be insufficient in fast-moving digital environments. In response, jurisdictions such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Germany are increasingly adopting ex-ante regulatory frameworks designed to prevent harm before it materialises.
The study will compare these different approaches and assess the effectiveness of available tools, including sanctions, interim measures, and commitment mechanisms. It also emphasises that there is no single regulatory model suitable for all jurisdictions; instead, solutions must reflect national legal and economic conditions while taking into account global developments.
The final report will update and expand on the Authority’s earlier work on digital transformation, providing a more comprehensive and current framework for competition policy. Overall, the initiative reflects a broader shift toward more proactive and adaptive regulation in response to the complexity and speed of digital markets.
