Australia: Opened consultation on Digital Competition Regime

On 2 December 2024, the Australian Treasury opened a consultation on a proposal for a new digital competition regime until 14 February 2025. This regime aims to promote competition in digital platform markets. It regulates anti‑competitive conduct across digital services including app marketplaces, advertising technology, and social media. The regime proposes specific obligations on "designated" digital platforms prohibiting actions such as self-preferencing, anti-competitive tying, lack of transparency, and restrictions of interoperability or switching. Platforms will be designated based on market significance, measured using revenue and user thresholds, and a qualitative assessment of market power. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will oversee monitoring, enforcement, and compliance, with significant penalties for breaches and mechanisms.