The ACCC is examining potential competition and consumer issues arising in internet search

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released an issues paper seeking ‘views from interested stakeholders related to the supply of general search services in Australia, including regulatory and industry developments, and potential competition and consumer issues.

From the media release:

“Significant changes have occurred since the ACCC last examined search services in 2021. We’ve seen new laws introduced overseas that place obligations on so-called gatekeeper search engines and the emergence of new technologies, like generative AI, that have changed the way consumers search for information online and may be impacting the quality of the service they are receiving,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“The ACCC wants to understand the impact of these developments on general search services and ultimately, how they affect competition and consumers.”

The report is part of the five year Digital Platform Services Inquiry 2020-25 and is due to be provided to the Treasurer by 30 September 2024.