Internet Activity record keeping rule

The ACCC is undertaking the biannual collection and analysis of internet activity data through a new Internet Activity record keeping rule, under section 151BU of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, from the December 2018 reporting period onwards. This follows a decision by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to discontinue producing its Internet Activity Survey (IAS), with the June 2018 IAS being the final iteration. The ACCC’s record keeping rule is not directly comparable to the previous IAS.

In developing the record keeping rule, the ACCC engaged stakeholders by releasing a consultation paper and receiving submissions on the proposed record keeping rule. The submissions were considered before releasing the finalised record keeping rule in December 2018.

How we use the information and data we collect

The information and data collected under the record keeping rule will be used to inform the regulatory processes that fall under Part XIB and Part XIC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

The ACCC will use information and data from the record keeping rule to inform its reports to the Minister for Communications on competitive safeguards within the Australian telecommunications industry under subsection 151CL(1) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, and to assist with reporting on prices paid by consumers for telecommunications services under subsection 151CM(1)(a) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

The ACCC will also periodically release aggregate level internet activity metrics, based on the data gathered from the record keeping rule. This output, to be made available on the ACCC website, will seek to inform the general public, industry, government agencies and other users about internet activity in Australia.