Big Tech and the need in India for ex-ante regulation

Context:

India is in a phase of a digital transformation and the country must have a level-playing field to ensure a fair opportunity for new-age start-ups and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

Big Tech & Market Distortion

• Penalizing Google: Competition Commission of India (CCI) had imposed a penalty of ?1,337.76 crores on Google for abusing its dominant position in the android mobile device ecosystem
• CCI needs to evolve: It was established under the Indian Competition Act 2002; to protect and promote competition in markets. But the act now needs an overhaul, so that it acts beforehand.
• Situation in other countries: The European Union, the U.S., and even Australia have realized the market-distorting abilities of Big-Tech and moved to transform their competition law.