Online market failures and harms: An economic perspective on the challenges and opportunities in regulating online services 2019 (OFCOM)

A research paper from OFCOM

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 25 March 2022

• Category: Ad hoc research
• Original publisher: Ofcom
• Research area: Advertising and marketing, Future connectivity and internet, Media and entertainment, Retail and digital commerce and Technology
• Research topic: Adtech, Advertising spend, Artificial intelligence, Audio and radio and Data and AI
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  Data privacy, access and control, Digital economy, Future connectivity, General and vertical search, Internet usage and attitudes, News and publishing, Online retail, Personalisation algorithm, Safety and harms, Social media and instant messaging, and TV, video and on-demand
• Research publish date: 28 October 2019

Abstract

Online services have revolutionised people’s personal and working lives, generating significant benefits. But some of their features have the potential to cause harms to individuals and society. These can include exposure to harmful content or conduct, loss of privacy, data or security breaches, lack of competition, unfair business practices or harm to wellbeing. In May, our Online Nation report set out the benefits to consumers of being online and their concerns about potential online harm.

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on how to address these harms effectively, drawing on Ofcom’s experience as the UK communications regulator. It looks at the sources of online harms from an economic perspective, which can inform the broader policy assessment that policymakers and regulators may use to evidence and address them.

Citation

Ofcom, Online market failures and harms: An economic perspective on the challenges and opportunities in regulating online services (2019) [online] Available at: Online market failures and harms: an economic perspective on the challenges and opportunities in regulating online services [Accessed 10 February 2022]

Link

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/online-research/online-market-failures-and-harms

Published 25 March 2022