The Open Banking Movement and the Access to Accounts Rule: Challenges for Competition and Data Protection Law

The global development of open banking regulations and initiatives, while promising benefits to individuals and small businesses, raises also several concerns. This entry, focusing on the European Union experience, addresses some critical issues not only in respect to the defence of consumers' economic interests, but also, and mainly, with regard to the safeguard of customers’ personal data and the maintenance of an adequate level of competition in the relevant markets. The author advocates a revision of the existing protecting devices or, alternatively, the creation of new mechanisms, more suitable to ensure a high level of protection for the interests at stake.