Australia is considering creating rules that allow internet users to choose which data they give to tech giants like Google and Facebook.
This new regulatory plan was proposed by the Australian Competition and Customer Commission (ACCC). The goal is to protect the interests of users and change digital advertising and challenge the dominance of Google and Facebok Inc.
The latest proposal adds a new element to the regulator’s anti-monopoly campaign and anti-competitive behavior to examine the power of online giants in the country’s struggling media market.
Previously, Australia was talking about regulation that forced technology giants to pay the mass media for content on popular social media platforms, which internet companies opposed.
“There is a lack of competition, choice and transparency in this industry,” said ACCC Chairperson Rod Sims as quoted by Reuters, Thursday (28/1/2021), which estimates Google controls Australia’s ad revenue between 50% and 100%, depending on the service. .
“This problem adds to the cost of advertising for businesses, which in turn has an impact on the price paid by consumers,” added Rod Sims.
Letting internet users choose which internet platforms they share their search data with could drive competition between online advertising suppliers and reduce the competitive advantage of large platforms, the ACCC said in its 222-page interim report.
The final report is scheduled to be sent to the government in August 2021. Google and Facebook representatives in Australia could not be reached for comment.
Australian Finance Minister Josh Frydenberg said the government “picked up on the ACCC’s concerns over the tech giant’s competitiveness and continued dominance” but did not say whether he supported the proposal.
“We need to ensure our regulatory framework is in line with the changes driven by digital platforms,” the statement said.
Read now: Due to The New Rules, Google Threatens to Leave Australia
