The ACCC and the Net Economy
Deputy Chair Delia Rickard discusses the ACCC's inquiry into digital platforms, and their impact on the media and advertising markets.
Advertising
Issues paper
On 26 February 2018 the ACCC released an issues paper seeking feedback on issues relevant to its Digital Platforms Inquiry.
ACCC commences inquiry into digital platforms
The Federal Government has today formally directed the ACCC to commence an inquiry into digital platform providers such as Facebook and Google.
The ACCC’s inquiry will look at the effect that digital search engines, social media platforms and other digital content aggregation platforms are having on competition in media and advertising services markets.
“The ACCC goes into this inquiry with an open mind to and will study how digital platforms such as Facebook and Google operate to fully understand their influence in Australia,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
Terms of reference
On 28 November 2017, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, directed the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into digital platform providers.
Digital platforms inquiry
On 28 November 2017, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, directed the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into digital platform providers.
Finder.com.au penalised for misleading consumers
Hive Empire Pty Limited, trading as finder.com.au (Finder), has paid a penalty of $10,800 following the issue of an infringement notice by the ACCC for alleged false or misleading claims about the number of health insurance policies it compares.
The ACCC alleges that between February and May 2017, Finder represented on its website that its health insurance comparison service allowed consumers to “compare roughly 65,000 policies”, when the number of policies compared was substantially less than this.
Recordkeeping
Businesses trading in Australia are expected to be aware of their obligations under the ACL. It’s not a defence, or an excuse, to claim that you ‘didn’t know’ you were doing something wrong.
What labels should look like
What should country of origin labels on non-food and food products look like?
Country of origin labelling FAQs
If you choose to make a country of origin claim, or are legally required to do so, it must be clear, accurate and truthful. Our frequently asked questions provide detailed information about aspects of the labeling system.
Yoogalu and Domestic & General Services give undertakings to ACCC
The ACCC has accepted court enforceable undertakings from Domestic & General Services Pty Ltd (Domestic & General Services) and Yoogalu Pty Ltd (part of the Harvey Norman group of companies) following an industry-wide review of extended warranty selling practices.
“The ACCC has been concerned with the conduct of some retailers overstating the benefits of buying an extended warranty, when consumers have the free protection of consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL),” ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said.