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ARTICLE · 06 NOVEMBER 2019

The ACCC gets serious: First proceedings against Google following the Digital Platforms Inquiry

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The ACCC proceedings will be important in increasing consumer awareness of how Google uses their personal information.

AustraliaConsumer Protection
Angela Flannery
Angela Flannery
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The final report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) Digital Platforms Inquiry noted that the ACCC was investigating the conduct of Google and Facebook in relation to a number of potential breaches of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (CCA), including the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The ACCC commenced the first proceedings arising out of those investigations in the Federal Court on 29 October 2019.

What action is the ACCC taking against Google?

One of the investigations mentioned in the ACCC's final report was whether representations made by Google to some users about the control they have over Google's collection of location data raise issues under the ACL. The action commenced by the ACCC on 29 October relates to this investigation.

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