Does the Digital Markets Bill strike the right balance in regulating the digital economy? Lords Communications and Digital Committee seeks views

The Committee is looking at the whether the Bill is likely to meet the Government's objectives of improving consumer protection, providing a new framework to regulate digital markets and strengthening competition enforcement powers.

The Committee is focusing in particular on Parts 1 and 2 of the Bill, which deal with digital markets and competition. This is particularly important as digital markets reportedly have characteristics that make them more likely to be dominated by a small number of large firms.

Baroness Stowell of Beeston, Chair of the Committee, said:

"The new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill will be crucial in providing a fair deal for UK firms and consumers. Getting this legislation right should not be about bashing Big Tech. It is about ensuring digital markets provide a level playing field and the opportunity for innovation to flourish and consumers enjoy the benefits of greater choice.

"We are keen to hear from a range of perspectives from across sector to help us scrutinise the Bill in detail."

The Committee is inviting written evidence to be received by 12 June.

Questions the Committee is inviting evidence on include:

• To what extent are businesses and consumers affected by limited competition in digital markets, and what are the consequences?
• Does the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill strike the right balance between regulating digital markets and encouraging innovation?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Bill as regards regulating digital markets?
• Is the Competition and Markets Authority sufficiently well prepared to implement the proposed new regime?
• How does the proposed regime compare with the approach taken in the EU and US?