--- title: The politics and regulation of the Platform Economy description: Online platforms have transformed the way we shop, travel, socialise, learn and work and politics and regulation are just starting to catch up. Inline Policy are the specialists in providing political and regulatory analysis, stakeholder engagement and lobbying strategies to the tech sector. image: https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/Platform-to-Business%20(P2B)%20Regulation%20Webinar/Platforms%20to%20business%20-%202.png --- [![Inline Policy logo](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hubfs/in-line-logo-horizontal-RGB-BLACK.svg "Inline Policy logo")](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/) [Talk to Us](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/contact-us) # The Platform Economy ![Platforms to business - 2.png](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Platform-to-Business%20(P2B)%20Regulation%20Webinar/Platforms%20to%20business%20-%202.png?width=1903&name=Platforms%20to%20business%20-%202.png "Platforms to business - 2.png") ## The rise of the platform economy Online platforms have transformed the way we shop, travel, socialise, learn and work. These transformations have happened rapidly and the expansion of the platform economy shows no signs of slowing down.  There are clear benefits to platforms that allow consumers to compare prices, travel more conveniently, find work, learn new skills and connect with people they would otherwise not meet. There are also many political and regulatory issues that arise from the advent of platforms, such as their impact on businesses and individuals who use the platform, ensuring consumer rights are upheld, dealing with illegal content, how taxes should be levied, how competition law should be applied, and compliance with local laws and standards. With regulatory developments expected in the EU and many member states, 2019 is likely to be [a critical year for the development of online platforms](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/2019-will-be-a-critical-year-for-online-platforms-in-europe) in Europe. ## A regulatory priority in the EU and the UK Having previously paid less attention to online platforms, EU policymakers are now laying the foundations for a more definitive approach to regulating this growing sector of the economy. In April 2018, the European Commission [proposed the ‘Platforms-to-Business Regulation’](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/an-introduction-to-the-proposed-platform-to-business-regulation), targeting a number of concerns with how the platform economy operates. 2018 also saw significant pressure from EU policymakers on platforms around illegal content and consumer protection. In the UK, there has been a similar focus on consumer rights and illegal content. The Competition and Markets Authority has undertaken a number of market studies and investigations targeting specific types of platforms including [price comparison](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-steps-in-to-give-people-a-better-deal-on-comparison-sites) and [hotel booking](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hotel-booking-sites-to-make-major-changes-after-cma-probe) sites. ## Tax and competition In the EU and in many Members States, including the UK, there are proposals for new 'digital services taxes', which are firmly aimed at large platforms. [Each of the proposals is slightly different](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/the-patchwork-of-digital-tax-proposals-in-europe), but all are based on taxing revenue rather than profits. While every country professes to want to see a global approach agreed at the OECD, it is more than likely that some of these proposals will become law before international agreements can be negotiated. Similarly there are a number of early stage reviews and investigations into how competition law should operate and be [applied in digital markets](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/terms-of-reference-for-digital-competition-review). The issues of applying existing competition law to online platforms are manifest and increasingly [politicians across Europe](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/blog/political-pressure-builds-for-reform-of-eu-competition-policy) are calling for more radical approaches.  ## Time to engage Further regulation and political pressure on platform operators is inevitable. Both large and small players will need to engage with the policy making process if they are to ensure that regulatory approaches are appropriate and do not harm their business models.   If you would like to be kept up to date on the regulation of the platform economy and how you can influence the debate then please [get in touch](https://www.inlinepolicy.com/shomik-panda). ### Keep Up to Date ## Latest Platform Economy Articles ### About ### Services ### Follow us ### Resources ### London Office [+44 (0)20 3735 5055](tel:+44%2020%203735%205055) 310 Vox Studios, 1-45 Durham Street, London, SE11 5JH ### Brussels Office [+32 (0)2 790 7387](tel:+32%202%20790%2073%2087) Avenue Louise 65, Box 11, 1050 Brussels Copyright 2024 Inline Policy Ltd 08719165 | Inline Policy Srl 0687711093