Platform Relations as a Subject of Legal Regulation

The paper is dedicated to analyzing the platform economy as a specific subject (or rather, a collection of interrelated subjects) of legal regulation, identifying problematic aspects in the formation of legal frameworks. The study reviews the historical development of approaches and actual regulation applied in Russia, analyzes the provisions of Federal Law No. 289-FZ «On Certain Issues of Regulating the Platform Economy in the Russian Federation» adopted on July 31, 2025; highlights the complexity of defining the term «digital platform»; and evaluates the structure of the law under consideration, compares the law with previously adopted laws regulating relationships among entities using platforms, between these entities and the person facilitating the platform’s functioning (the owner or operator), as well as other closely related relationships (or platform relationships). The terminology used in the law is also examined. The authors identify key regulatory problem areas that have emerged since the adoption of the law, namely, the multiplicity of definitions for the term «digital platform», as well as the existence of analogous terms (aggregator in consumer protection legislation). The authors believe it is necessary to conduct a review of the existing regulations, unify terminology where necessary, and eliminate the contradictions that have arisen.

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