Tech Monopolization

The Challenge

The digital economy has become increasingly dominated by a small number of powerful technology platforms that control critical infrastructure, services, and data. This concentration of power raises concerns about competition, innovation, consumer choice, and democratic values. Key concerns include:

• Market Concentration: A few dominant platforms control key digital markets, from search and social media to cloud computing and e-commerce, creating barriers to entry for new competitors.
• Lock-in Effects: Network effects, data advantages, and ecosystem integration create powerful lock-in mechanisms that make it difficult for users to switch platforms or for competitors to gain traction.
• Innovation Suppression: Dominant platforms can use their market power to acquire potential competitors, copy innovative features, or impose unfavorable terms on developers, potentially reducing overall innovation.
• Excessive Rents: Market power enables platforms to extract higher fees and commissions from businesses and developers who depend on their infrastructure, potentially raising costs for consumers.

Our Approach

The Global Tech Governance Institute takes a pro-competition approach to addressing tech monopolization:

• Market Analysis: Developing methodologies and metrics to measure market concentration, barriers to entry, and power dynamics in digital markets.
• Policy Frameworks: Researching and proposing governance approaches that promote competition, interoperability, and user choice in digital markets.
• Alternative Models: Exploring and supporting alternative ownership and governance models for digital infrastructure, including open protocols, digital commons, and cooperative platforms.
• Standards Development: Promoting technical standards and interoperability frameworks that reduce lock-in effects and enable more open and competitive digital ecosystems.

Current Initiatives

Our work in this area currently includes:

Matrix Integration

Key Publications