The Interaction Between Competition Policy and Consumer Protection: Institutional Design, Behavioral Insights, and Emerging Challenges in Digital Markets

Over the past decade, the relationship between competition policy and consumer protection has undergone a profound transformation. Traditionally treated as distinct domains — with competition policy focused on preserving market structure and consumer protection centered on safeguarding individuals from unfair or deceptive practices — the two areas increasingly converge in both theory and enforcement practice. Digital markets, in particular, have blurred these boundaries. Firms design interfa