ACCC kicks off final digital platforms report, set to look at emerging issues including online gaming

The competition watchdog has kicked off its tenth and final digital platforms report set to focus on global developments and emerging issues, like online gaming, to round off a five-year inquiry.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission every six months since 2020 has been releasing reports to the Federal Government examining different forms of digital platform services, including search engines, social media, private messaging, online shopping among others.

The ACCC revealed its final report — due out in March next year — will provide an update on recent developments in digital platform markets, identifying emerging issues and chart major developments overseas and their impact on consumer and competition.

“The report will be a chance to take a global view and see what challenges and opportunities exist worldwide,” ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“The ACCC’s work on digital platforms over the past five years has already led to changes in our economy and to benefits for consumers. But Australia can learn and benefit from developments elsewhere.

“We are now asking consumers, business owners and others to share their views on the issues we outline so that they can help shape the final report.”

The issue papers published on Thursday — which summarises these three areas of interest — outlined significant advances in relevant legislation in the EU, Germany, India, South Korea, Japan and the UK.

As part of the final report, the ACCC will consider emerging competition and consumer issues in digital platform services in Australia which have not previously been examined, such as online gaming.

Online video games and gaming platforms are a popular form of entertainment and social connectivity in the digital age, estimated to have a total market value of $4.21 billion in 2024, as about 91 per cent of Australian households own a video game device or console.

The ACCC observes there could be current practices in the online gaming industry which may give rise to potential competition and consumer concerns. It also proposes to examine potential competition issues relating to generative artificial intelligence.

Ms Cass-Gottlieb said it was following recent developments in generative AI closely as the technology continues to expand and develop at a rapid pace.

“Generative AI products and services may present new opportunities, but also new challenges with major implications for our work,” she said.