Australia: Adopted 7th Interim Report of the ACCC Digital Platform Services Inquiry
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Adopted 7th Interim Report of the ACCC Digital Platform Services Inquiry
On 27 November 2023, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) adopted the 7th Interim Report of the Digital Platform Services Inquiry. The ACCC's latest report, part of a broader five-year inquiry into digital platform services, highlights the need for regulatory reform due to the expanding influence of major digital platforms such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft into various markets and emerging technologies. This expansion, according to ACCC, poses risks to competition and consumer protection, with concerns over practices such as invasive data collection and consumer lock-in, which can limit choice and stifle innovation. Specific concerns include the bundling of services, self-preferencing, gatekeeper roles in new markets, and extensive data collection practices that may exceed what is necessary for functionality. The ACCC suggests that these developments underscore the importance of updating competition and consumer laws to safeguard against anti-competitive conduct and ensure the ongoing benefits of digital services. Recommendations include targeted consumer protections, service-specific codes for designated digital platforms, and addressing broader issues like scams, harmful apps, and fake reviews.
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