Australia’s competition authority has recommended the introduction of a data-sharing mechanism similar to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, but the regulator has said any change would have to wait until the country’s privacy laws are overhauled.
The ACCC published its fifth Digital Platform Services Inquiry (DPSI) interim report (DPSI 5 report). While the DPSI 5 report recognises the many valuable services made available to consumers and businesses by digital platforms, the ACCC considers that Australia’s competition and consumer protection laws are not sufficient to address concerns relating to digital platform services, including scams, harmful apps and fake reviews, inadequate dispute resolution, increased market concentration and instances of anti-competitive conduct.
Read more: Australia: ACCC slams proposed cartel legislation changes
These recommendations were built on market consultations and earlier reports. The ACCC observed that there is international consensus that current competition and consumer laws globally are not fit for purpose and similar reforms were also underway in other jurisdictions, including in Europe, the UK and Japan.
