ACCC calls for new competition law for big tech

The news: The competition watchdog has called for regulatory reform as tech titans Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft continue their expansion into rapidly emerging technologies such as generative AI and immersive technologies. The calls came as the ACCC released its seventh interim report for the Digital Platform Services Inquiry.

The context: Major digital platforms that already have market power can use tactics like bundling, pre-installation and default settings to consolidate their position, limit customer choice and ultimately deter innovation, the ACCC said, though the regulator made no specific finding in the report of anti-competitive conduct. The ACCC has made recommendations including service-specific mandatory codes of conduct for particular digital platforms and mandatory obligations addressing scams, harmful apps and fake reviews.

What they said: "The continued expansion of digital platforms has also increased the risk of those platforms engaging in harmful behaviour, such as invasive data collection practices and consumer lock-in practices that can reduce choice and stifle innovation," ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said in a statement.