Legal Regulation of Data Monopoly on Internet Platforms in China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/1sswpz83Keywords:
Data monopoly, Internet platform, Economy, China’s Anti-Monopoly Law, Platform governanceAbstract
In the era of the digital economy, data has become a core production factor and a key source of market power. Internet platforms, by leveraging their dominance in user aggregation, algorithmic optimization, and build “Data Silo”, increasingly concentrate and monopolize data resources, giving rise to a new form of structural market dominance: data monopoly. This phenomenon not only disrupts fair competition and reduces data allocation efficiency but also challenges the adequacy of existing antitrust legal frameworks. This paper examines the unique characteristics and regulatory dilemmas of platform-based data monopolies in China. It identifies key legal challenges, including ambiguous legal definitions, fragmented enforcement mechanisms, and difficulties in applying traditional antitrust tools to algorithm-driven conduct. Drawing on international regulatory experiences, the study explores how China can construct a localized, forward-looking regulatory system that balances innovation with control, and competition with data security. Focusing on the enhancement of the Anti-Monopoly Law’s implementation mechanisms, this research proposes a multi-dimensional regulatory framework involving legal reform, institutional coordination, technical upgrading, and governance localization. The goal is to contribute to the modernization of China's digital governance regime and ensure effective oversight of platform-based data monopolies.
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