Regulating Search: Competition Policy and Data Protection at the Crossroad

DOI: 10.5176/2251-3809_LRPP1241

Authors: Nicolo Zingales

Abstract: Search engines today collect and count on a variety of information about their users. This contribution shows that the extent to which search engines are permitted to use personal data of their users should be taken into account by competition analysis. Further, it stresses what the added value is for privacy regulation in this context, and suggests possible enforcement challenges which need to be addressed.

Keywords: Search engines; competition; privacy; regulation