The "Big Five" and EU Competition Law

Do The "Big Five" Technology Companies Stifle Competition Through Leveraging, Violating EU Competition Law?

Delisha Dadrewalla

EU Competition Law promotes the maintenance of competition within the European Single Market by regulating anti-competitive conduct by companies to ensure that they do not engage in unilateral conducts that could harm society interests. Companies like Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft (“Big Five”) have revolutionised the economy benefiting billions of people around the world. Big technology companies have advantages such as creating ways to help consumers to connect with people globally. Online Platforms like Google and Microsoft have allowed people to operate remotely especially during the pandemic where consumers have connected online. However, the key theme throughout this dissertation is whether the ‘Big Five’ companies operate appropriately and fairly within the European Single Market or are using leveraging to stifle and distort competition that could prevent other competitors to grow. The central debate is whether big technology companies violate EU Competition Laws. In addition, the dissertation will consider the possibility of new reforms to prevent unfair competition from occurring in the future. Overall, the dissertation will conclude that the “Big Five” technology companies use leveraging to stifle competition which violates EU competition laws.

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