Technology & Innovation

Regulators need to rethink their approaches to tech disruptors, report finds

August 19, 2015

North America

  • New Economist Intelligence Unit report explores impact of digital innovation on market fairness
  • The report’s advisory board of policymakers and academics recommend more dialogue between government and business—and more tech experts in government
  • As the pace of innovation gathers speed, it is becoming more difficult for regulators to do their job
  • Popular digital platforms exhibit self-regulatory behaviours, but making them effective still require oversight to protect public interest

A new report published today (August 19th) by The Economist Intelligence Unit explores the impact of digital innovation on market fairness. The report shares findings and recommendations from an advisory board composed of US city and state policymakers and innovation academics. It is supplemented by in-depth interviews with technology executives and entrepreneurs. 

, sponsored by Two Sigma, describes a challenging environment for regulators as they work to balance the interests of both disruptors and incumbents while protecting the public interest. Much innovation and growth today are driven by information technology, which among other effects makes markets more efficient by “levelling the playing field” for a great number of participants. However, this situation also creates new difficulties for regulators such as digital disruptors that exploit regulatory inefficiencies and fast-growing internet monopolies.

These challenges can be addressed by three models that successfully balance regulation and entrepreneurialism across industries:

  • Create forward-looking and principles-based, rather than prescriptive, policies that are  reinforced by an open channel of communication with the private sector
  • Increase government staffers’ tech literacy by hiring additional technical subject-matter experts and creating special agencies within departments
  • Treat businesses as a trusted partner and part of the regulatory solution—while maintaining necessary regulatory oversight for the sake of public safety
     

Sunmin Kim, the editor of the report, said:

“Companies like Airbnb and Uber redefine ownership of a product or offering of a service in ways regulators hadn’t anticipated. In addition, the cost of scaling up digital (rather than physical) goods or services is marginal. According to our research, policymakers acknowledge that no single set of rules can address or anticipate the fast-changing needs for oversight created by companies like these. Instead, flexible and forward-looking policies that remain relevant through rapidly changing landscapes are needed—approaches only possible with better communication and collaboration with the private sector and policymakers’ own embrace of technology.”

 

Press enquiries:

Mathew Hanratty, corporate communications manager
+44 (0)20 7576 8546

 

Notes to editors

About The Economist Intelligence Unit

The Economist Intelligence Unit is the world leader in global business intelligence. It is the business-to-business arm of The Economist Group, which publishes The Economist newspaper. The Economist Intelligence Unit helps executives make better decisions by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis on worldwide market trends and business strategies. More information can be found at or .

About Two Sigma

Founded in 2001, Two Sigma is a systematic investment manager that applies cutting-edge technology to the data-rich world of finance. With approximately $28 billion in assets under management, the company has offices in New York, Hong Kong, Houston and London.

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