Contemporary and Emerging Issues in Competition Law and Policy

The rapid evolution of digital markets, data-driven business models, and artificial intelligence has reshaped the global competition landscape, raising complex legal and policy challenges. Contemporary competition law must address market concentration among digital gatekeepers, the competitive implications of data dominance, and the emergence of algorithmic collusion. At the same time, issues surrounding platform neutrality, gig-economy labour relations, and the rise of killer acquisitions demand more sophisticated regulatory frameworks. The intersection of privacy and competition, as well as the competitive effects of vertical integration in digital ecosystems, further complicates antitrust enforcement. Beyond digital markets, new areas of concern include labour-market monopsony, sustainability agreements, and the growing need for cross-border regulatory coordination. In India, proposed reforms such as the Digital Competition Act signal a shift toward ex ante regulation to address systemic risks posed by dominant digital enterprises. This essay analyses these emerging challenges and argues that modern competition law must remain dynamic, globally aligned, and technologically informed to ensure fair markets and long-term consumer welfare.