Promoting a more competitive ad tech industry
A competitive ad tech supply chain is important for Australian advertisers, publishers and ultimately consumers, ACCC Chair Rod Sims said today.
Advertising
Google’s dominance in ad tech supply chain harms businesses and consumers
An ACCC inquiry into the advertising technology (or ‘ad tech’) sector has identified significant competition concerns and likely harms to publishers, advertisers and, ultimately, consumers.
The report, published today, concludes that enforcement action under Australia’s existing competition laws alone is not sufficient to address the competition issues in the sector, and that the ACCC should be given powers to develop specific rules in response.
September 2022 interim report
The ACCC will consider whether there is a need for regulatory reform to address the competition and consumer concerns identified in digital platform services markets to date.
March 2022 interim report
The ACCC will be examining potential competition and consumer issues in the provision of general online retail marketplaces to consumers in Australia.
digiDirect pays penalties for misleading consumers about 'storewide' sales
Digital Imaging Express Pty Ltd, trading as digiDirect, has paid $39,240 in penalties after the ACCC issued the company three infringement notices for allegedly misleading consumers about the details of advertised sales in breach of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
In June, July and October 2020, digiDirect conducted sales promotions that used the headline statement “X% off storewide”. The promotions were advertised on digiDirect’s website, posted on social media and sent via email to digiDirect subscribers.
Submissions to interim report
The ACCC provided its interim report to the Treasurer on 31 December 2020. The report was published on our website on 28 January 2021. The ACCC invited stakeholders’ feedback on a range of proposals to increase transparency and competition in the supply of ad tech services.
September 2021 interim report
The ACCC will be examining the provision of web browsers and general search services to Australian consumers and the effectiveness of choice screens in facilitating competition and improving consumer choice. The ACCC will also be providing its advice to the Australian Government on Google’s rollout of search engine choice options on new Android devices in Europe.
Lack of competition in ad tech affecting publishers, advertisers and consumers
A lack of competition and transparency in the digital advertising technology supply chain is impacting publishers, advertisers and consumers and needs to be addressed, according to the interim report for the ACCC’s Digital advertising services inquiry, released today.
EZ Smile pays penalty for alleged misleading statements on its website
EZ Smile Pty Ltd has paid a penalty of $12,600 after the ACCC issued an infringement notice for an alleged false or misleading representation made on EZ Smile’s website in relation to the involvement of Australian orthodontists in its teeth straightening services.
EZ Smile offers teeth straightening services using clear dental aligners, which it sells direct to consumers through its website.
ACCC commissioned research
The ACCC commissioned research to inform its analysis for the digital platform services inquiry.