Digital Competition Act: India Weighs Ex-Ante Rules for Big Tech
Why in the news
India is weighing a separate digital markets law so large platforms follow clear rules in advance rather than being handled after harm occurs.
Key facts
- Targets: Google, Meta, Amazon and major domestic tech firms, identified by financial and market thresholds.
- Segments: search, social networking, e-commerce, operating systems, cloud services.
- Concerns: consumer data use, treatment of smaller rivals, fair competition for startups.
| Option | Features |
|---|---|
| Ex-ante law | Forecast-based dos and don’ts; stops dominance before regulators can step in |
| Chapter in Competition Act, 2002 | Post-breach and too slow for digital markets |
Exam angle
- Term: ex-ante regulation.
- Existing law: Competition Act, 2002.