The ACCC is currently prioritising competition and consumer issues relating to digital platforms.
Digital platforms and the ACCC
The ACCC has set up a specialist Digital Platforms Branch to conduct further work related to digital platform markets. The Digital Platforms Branch will continue the ACCC’s consistent scrutiny of digital platforms, including relevant inquiries and current and future consumer and competition law enforcement cases.
Digital platforms inquiry
On 4 December 2017, the then Treasurer, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, directed the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into digital platforms. The inquiry looked at the effect that digital search engines, social media platforms and other digital content aggregation platforms have on competition in media and advertising services markets. In particular, the inquiry looked at the impact of digital platforms on the supply of news and journalistic content and the implications of this for media content creators, advertisers and consumers.
On 10 December 2018, the ACCC released its preliminary report for the inquiry.
The final report was published on 26 July 2019 following the report being provided to the Treasurer.
The Australian Government responded to the recommendations of the final report on 12 December 2019.
More information on this government response can be found on the Department of the Treasury website.
See: Digital platforms inquiry
Digital advertising services inquiry
On 10 February 2020 the Australian Government directed the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into markets for the supply of digital advertising technology services and digital advertising agency services.
See: Digital advertising services inquiry
Digital platform services inquiry 2020-2025
On 10 February 2020 the Australian Government directed the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into markets for the supply of digital platform services.
Digital platform services covered by this direction include internet search engine services, social media services, online private messaging services, digital content aggregation platform services, media referral services and electronic marketplace services. The direction also covers digital advertising services supplied by digital platform service providers and the data practices of both digital platform service providers and data brokers.
See: Digital platform services inquiry 2020-2025
News media bargaining code
On 20 April 2020, the Australian Government announced it had directed the ACCC to develop a mandatory code of conduct to address bargaining power imbalances between Australian news media businesses and each of Google and Facebook.
The announcement is available on the Department of the Treasury website.
A draft mandatory code was released for public consultation on 31 July 2020.
The final legislation as passed by both houses of Parliament on 25 February 2021 is available on the Federal Register of Legislation.
See: News media bargaining code
Contact
Contact the Digital Platforms Branch at digitalplatforms@accc.gov.au or through our Infocentre.