The European Commission ("Commission") has approached and questioned various (online) market players as part of its research into (the advertising services of) Google and Facebook.
Google investigation by the Commission
Diederik Schrijvershof represented a market party regarding the European Commission’s investigation of Google. The European Commission is investigating the possible anticompetitive effects of Google’s position on the market for online advertising services. More information on the European Commission’s investigation of Google can be found here and here.
Facebook investigation by the Commission
In 2019 and 2020, the European Commission also contacted and interviewed several online market parties as part of its investigation of Facebook’s advertising services. Diederik Schrijvershof represented a market party regarding the European Commission's investigation of Facebook. In response to complaints from competitors of Facebook, the European Commission is investigating the possible anticompetitive effects of Facebook’s position on the market for online advertising services. More information on the European Commission’s investigation of Facebook can be found here and here.
ACM/Commission and the digital economy
ACM recently reported that it wished to focus its activities within the digital economy in 2020/2021 on (i) online deception and (ii) access to platforms and ecosystems. There are also rumours that the European Commission is planning to start a sector inquiry into the digital economy and the services in question.
