Striking a Fine Balance: CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur on Data and Dominance in a Digital-First India
Highlights from the CCI Chairperson's Fireside Chat at the Business Standard Manthan this week
At the Business Standard Manthan on 25 February, Mrs. Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), shared a comprehensive look at how the regulator is evolving alongside India’s rapidly digitising economy. Her remarks underscored that the CCI is not looking to stifle innovation but is equipping itself to ensure a level playing field in the age of digital markets and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
While the full conversation is available here, key themes from her address are available below:
The AI Revolution: Efficiency vs. Accountability - The Chairperson highlighted that while AI offers transformative benefits in various sectors (for instance in healthcare, logistics, and education), it also introduces novel antitrust risks. She identified “algorithmic collusion” and “targeted price discrimination” as critical red flags, as highlighted in the CCI’s market study on AI. The Chairperson highlighted that the CCI’s goal is to better understand these opaque systems and ensure they remain accountable and transparent.
Data as a Competitive Asset - Another important theme was on the CCI’s treatment of data. Reflecting on the 2021 WhatsApp privacy policy case, Mrs. Kaur emphasized that the CCI views data as a “non-price parameter for competition”, and that the CCI’s intervention proved its commitment to protecting users from coercive data collection practices that could reinforce market dominance.
Redefining Dominance and Global Reach - The Chairperson clarified that measuring dominance in the digital age is a far more complex exercise than evaluating market shares. Under the Competition Act, the focus is on a company’s ability to act independently of market forces, evaluating aspects such as market structures, the impact of vertical integration and whether buyers have countervailing power.
Protecting the Startup Ecosystem - Addressing the debate over European-style ex-ante (preventative) regulations, Mrs. Kaur advocated for a balanced approach. While such rules target massive “gatekeepers,” she cautioned against “overkill” that could burden India’s thriving startup and MSME sectors. For smaller players caught in the competition regulator’s cross-hairs, the CCI continues to favor “cease and desist” orders over heavy monetary penalties to encourage compliance without causing financial ruin.
Strengthening the Institutional Core - Looking ahead, the CCI is shifting its focus toward building long-term institutional memory. Moving away from a reliance on short-term professionals, the CCI aims to induct specialized talent, which includes data scientists, economists, and tech analysts, to understand and address competition concerns in increasingly technical markets. The Chairperson highlighted significant updates to its regulatory toolkit, which includes revised cost of production regulations to curb predatory pricing and introducing deal value thresholds to catch killer acquisitions, signalling that the CCI is sufficiently empowered and ready to enforce competition law in an effective, proportionate manner.
The Chairperson’s remarks underscore the CCI’s keen awareness of its role in ensuring the Indian economy sees the benefits of balanced and competitive markets - whether in tech markets or otherwise. The CCI Chairperson’s perspective aligns closely with the Indian government’s ambition to drive domestic innovation and establish India as a leading voice in the global digital economy, particularly given its contribution to the ongoing discourse on AI governance and regulation at the India AI Summit 2026.