ACCC preliminary report slams unfettered dominance of Facebook and Google

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has today released its most scathing assessment of how American tech giants are impacting the Australian market, particularly the news and advertising sectors.

The regulator released a preliminary report containing 11 preliminary recommendations and eight areas for further analysis as part of its inquiry into the impact Facebook and Google have on competition in media and advertising service markets.

The recommendations and condemnations revolve around the uncontrolled disturbance Facebook and Google have had on news organisations, with the ACCC blaming the companies for effectively slashing the revenue generated by local Australian publications.

The report also outlines concerns regarding the extent to which consumers' data is collected and used to enable targeted advertising.

ACCC chair Rod Sims acknowledges that whilst the two platforms have ushered in a new era of communication, they also wreak havoc on newsrooms and advertisers around Australia.

"Digital platforms have significantly transformed our lives, the way we communicate with each other and access news and information. Read more

David Simmons - Business News Australia - 10 Dec 2018