![](https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/shutterstock_299616500-e1585089084579-1.jpg)
By Eran Fish & Michal Gal (University of Haifa)
Algorithms are employed by a growing number of firms in order to make choices for users. One prominent example involves news and views consumption through media platforms, which is increasingly mediated by algorithmic personalization. Rather than engaging with the rich variety of ideas on the web, many online users are exposed primarily to content chosen by algorithms, which generally attempts to fit each user’s pre-existing views. This raises questions regarding competition law’s responsibility and ability to protect the free exchange of ideas in the marketplace. We argue that while competition law can be used to protect the diversity of content in the market, the protection of a diversity of exposure is much more challenging. An interference that is aimed at exposing users to diverse ideas need not conflict with the goals of antitrust. In particular, we argue that even if algorithmic choices attempt to cater to users’ preferences, they need not conflict with the ideals of consumer sovereignty, autonomy and choice on which competition law is based. Yet competition laws do not possesses the right tools to tackle this problem, and therefore doing so may best be left to other mechanisms. The discussion has implications for other algorithmic choices which may seem to cater to users’ preferences.
Featured News
Geradin Partners Expands Paris Office with Key Hire
Aug 30, 2024 by
CPI
Judge Accuses Google of ‘Clear Abuse’ in Antitrust Case Over Deleted Employee Chats
Aug 29, 2024 by
CPI
Hong Kong Cleaning Company Employee Charged in Historic Antitrust Investigation Case
Aug 29, 2024 by
CPI
Inside the Yelp Suit: Allegations of Google’s Abuse of Search Power
Aug 29, 2024 by
CPI
AI Safety Bill Clears Hurdle in California, Heads to Governor’s Desk
Aug 29, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – State Attorneys General
Aug 22, 2024 by
CPI
CPI Talks… …With Attorney General Phil Weiser
Aug 22, 2024 by
CPI
The Bipartisan Miracle of State Antitrust Enforcement
Aug 22, 2024 by
Gwendolyn J. Lindsay Cooley
Recent Developments in State Antitrust Enforcement: Agriculture and Food Markets
Aug 22, 2024 by
Elizabeth R. Odette
State Attorneys General: Stewards of Consumer Health and Welfare
Aug 22, 2024 by
Brooke Howlett Lovrovich