Digital platform services are being put under the microscope
thanks to the new
Digital Platforms Inquiry being conducted by the Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Digital platforms can include search engines (e.g. Google, Bing),
social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter) and
content aggregators (e.g. Google News, Apple News or Reddit).
The inquiry will examine how these technology giants are
disrupting the advertising landscape in Australia and whether they
are exercising market power in commercial dealings to the detriment
of consumers, media and advertisers. Last Monday, the ACCC released
its key issues paper for the inquiry, and began accepting
submissions on the matters from consumers, media organisations,
digital platforms, advertising agencies and advertisers.
