The expansion of
digital platforms influences competition policies, particularly in markets as
online food delivery. This article examines the competition law’s treatment of
exclusivity and the role of multi-homing in the sector, focusing on the
Brazilian Competition Authority’s (CADE’s) decision in the iFood case.
Multi-homing may seem an essential tool to enhance competition in digital
platform markets, but it also has limitations and might harm entry in the
market. A rigid treatment of exclusivity clauses by competition authorities can
achieve benefits through multi-homing that must be balance against negative
consequences, such as higher costs and decrease in marketing and data support
for restaurants, especially small ones. Therefore, the online food delivery
market debate shows the need to balance multi-homing as a competitive goal with
economic efficiencies.