Examining The Competition Commission's ‘Google Search'

The South African Competition Commission probes Google ads and the distortion of competition on social media platforms.

Back in 2021, the South African Competition Commission launched a market inquiry into the online intermediation platforms market. The aim of the still-ongoing inquiry is to determine the distribution channels of media content on various digital platforms and the practices that may distort and prohibit fair competition in South African online media and marketing platforms.

If the Competition Commission (Commission) has reasons to believe that there are market features, in any specific market, that may entrench an uncompetitive and exclusionary market structure, the Commission may initiate a market inquiry in terms of the Competition Act, Act 89 of 1998, as amended (The Act). The Act thus empowers the Commission to investigate and address any uncompetitive and exclusionary practices in a specific market, and if necessary, recommend legislative or