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Privacy and Platform Competition

Author

Listed:
  • Dimakopoulos, Philipp

    (Humboldt University Berlin)

  • Sudaric, Slobodan

    (Humboldt University Berlin)

Abstract

We analyze platform competition where user data is collected to improve adtargeting. Considering that users incur privacy costs, we show that the equilibrium level of data provision is distorted and can be inefficiently high or low: if overall competition is weak or if targeting benefits are low, too much private data is collected, and vice-versa. Further, we find that softer competition on either market side leads to more data collection, which implies substitutability between competition policy measures on both market sides. Moreover, if platforms engage in two-sided pricing, data provision is efficient.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimakopoulos, Philipp & Sudaric, Slobodan, 2018. "Privacy and Platform Competition," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 67, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.
    • Handle: RePEc:rco:dpaper:67
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Natvik, Gisle J. & Tangerås, Thomas, 2023. "Paying with Personal Data," Working Paper Series 1481, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    2. Nam, Sangjun & Kwon, Youngsun, 2024. "Is pay-or-consent for privacy justifiable? Evidence from different users' privacy attitudes toward behavioral data collection in South Korea," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(7).
    3. Yassine Lefouili & Leonardo Madio & Ying Lei Toh, 2024. "Privacy Regulation and Quality‐Enhancing Innovation," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(2), pages 662-684, June.
    4. Sabatino, Lorien & Sapi, Geza, 2022. "Online privacy and market structure: Theory and evidence," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    5. Pauline Affeldt & Reinhold Kesler, 2021. "Competitors’ Reactions to Big Tech Acquisitions: Evidence from Mobile Apps," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1987, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    6. Kesler, Reinhold & Kummer, Michael E. & Schulte, Patrick, 2019. "Competition and privacy in online markets: Evidence from the mobile app industry," ZEW Discussion Papers 19-064, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    7. Congiu, Raffaele & Sabatino, Lorien & Sapi, Geza, 2022. "The Impact of Privacy Regulation on Web Traffic: Evidence From the GDPR," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    8. Michael L. Katz, 2019. "Multisided Platforms, Big Data, and a Little Antitrust Policy," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 54(4), pages 695-716, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ad targeting; platform competition; privacy; user data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L40 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - General
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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