Statement on the EU Consultation on Online Platforms

Washington, D.C. – Today, Abigail Slater, Internet Association Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Policy, issued the following statement on the EU Commission’s release of its consultation on online platforms:

“We are pleased that the EU Commission’s public consultation on the regulatory environment for online platforms recognizes the lower prices and increased choice EU consumer receive from the Internet. However, we have to be mindful that platform regulation could end up slowing innovation. Today’s online services are highly competitive, offer wide consumer choice, zero switching costs and minimal barriers to entry — signs of a healthy, competitive marketplace. Consumers and businesses are already protected by existing regulations. Overregulation would end up being harmful to the flourishing of innovative business models. We believe that platforms can often be a vector of growth for their ecosystems, and hope that the results of the consultation will not harm that positive dynamic.”

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