How can the digital economy be regulated?

Björn Lundqvist, professor at the Department of Law. Photo: Rickard Kilström

“I do research in competition law, which regulates what companies can and cannot do when they compete with each other. For example, many people think of things like cartels and monopolies and we antitrust lawyers have dealt with that for a long time.”

“Recently, I have been researching the digital economy where large digital platforms such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft have a very dominant position and often favor themselves through, for example, algorithms were their own ecosystems are promoted and favored to the point where competitors are excluded. In recent years, the European Commission has put forward proposals on how such digital markets can be regulated with new legislation, and it is in this area that I hope to contribute with my research.”

How did you get into this?

“I found competition law interesting already when I was studying law. And the new digital economy is a new and exciting field, Germany’s former Chancellor Angela Merkel called it ‘The industrial revolution 4.0’. I believe that this new economy will fundamentally change society and it requires some form of regulation. In many ways, I feel very lucky that I have the opportunity to research this at Stockholm University.”
 
In the spring of 2023, Björn Lundqvist has published a new book at Cambridge University Press in which he argues for a new kind of ownership of data for companies in the digital economy. 

“I discuss the market legal regulation of the digital, data-driven economy, and provide arguments for a new Access and Transfer Rights. I think it’s very interesting to have the opportunity to be part of the legal and political discussion going on in Brussels in this way and hope that I can contribute input to new legislation in the area.”

This year's Inauguration and conferment ceremony in the Stockholm City Hall will take place on 29 September. Photo: Ingmarie Andersson

Inauguration and Conferment ceremony in the City Hall

Björn Lundqvist is one of the new professors who were employed during 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023. All new professors who took office during this period are invited to the Inauguration and conferment ceremony in the Stockholm City Hall 29 September 2023. The professorial installation is the occasion when the new professors are welcomed to the university and their different subject areas are brought to attention.