Abstract

The article critically analyzes the debate that has recently involved the Big Data phenomenon. The different theoretical arguments concerning the potential benefits and the adverse effects that can be produced by the aggregation and the use of large volumes of data are carefully addressed. In assessing the different perspectives in terms of antitrust, consumer and privacy protections, specific emphasis is placed on the most significant decision-making practice. In particular, as to the merger control, the "Google/DoubleClick" and "Facebook/WhatsApp" cases are scrutinized as to test, at the enforcement level, the most challenging domains.