“Comply Or Do Not Do Business In Australia”: ACCC Boss Issues Frank Warning To Facebook And Google
ACCC chair Rod Sims has delivered a strongly-worded warning to Facebook and Google in the wake of the recent Digital Platforms Inquiry, telling the companies Australia can “act alone” if necessary.
Speaking at the Melbourne Press Club, Sims (pictured) reflected on the recently completed inquiry and discussed potential outcomes moving forward.
Some commentary around the ACCC’s inquiry has suggested any regulation that is seen as heavy-handed could scare off these billion-dollar companies from Australian shores.
But Sims was unfazed by this possibility, issuing a ‘my way or the highway’ warning of sorts.
“Australia can, if necessary, act alone. Facebook and Google are clearly subject to our laws. They either comply or do not do business in Australia,” Sims said.
“In the past these companies have threatened to withdraw services from a country in response to local laws.
“I do not think this will happen here. Not only are our measures carefully calibrated, but we are closely in touch with our overseas counterparts who are sympathetic to both the issues we have raised, and our solutions.”
The 18-month+ inquiry culminated in a 600-page report handed down by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg last month.
It included 23 recommendations to respond to the “substantial market power” of Facebook and Google, including potential changes to merger laws to prevent future deals like Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram.
The government is currently working with these companies to develop a new ‘harmonised’ media regulatory framework based on the report by the end of the year.
Sims said he was convinced the ACCC had “got it right” with its recommendations, but confessed there is no “silver bullet’ solution.
“Do not underestimate the power of what we have recommended to be put in place now,” he said.
“First, taking the digital platforms to court here or overseas lays down rules within which they must work. These are more important than the level of penalties.
“Once found to breach a law, it will be very difficult for a digital platform to continue with that behaviour in any effective way.”
Latest News
Adflow’s Regional OOH Coverage Expands By 60%
OOH transit company Adflow has announced the success of the first phase of its regional expansion program. Adflow’s regional footprint has increased by 60 per cent to now include 65 regional locations. With 9.1 million people living regionally in Australia (growth of 1.1 per cent experienced in the 19/20 Financial year) and most regional centres […]
Freshworks Starts Trading On Nasdaq, Valued at $13.7 Billion
Freshworks, a leading software company, has started trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, marking an important milestone for the company. The company priced its IPO at US$36 per share (AU$49.76), raising about US$1 billion (AU$1.4B), resulting in a total market capitalisation of AU$13.7 billion (US$10B). Freshworks, which was founded in India, has strong roots […]
SLIK Announces Four New Key Hires
Independent creative agency, SLIK, has made significant changes to its full service creative offering with four hires across management, creative and production.
Lucciana Beynon Falls Victim To Brutal & Outdated Photoshopping
B&T warns this article contains rather racy imagery. But as you're working from home, a trip to HR's not on the cards.
News Corp Reveals The Power Of Brand Content In New Research
News unveils 'The Power of Brand Content' research. The title arguably giving away the fact that it's a huge fan of it.
The Nutrition Couch Joins ARN’S IHeartPodcast Network
Has a partner complained of incessant flatulence, pungent urine or performance issues? This nutrition podcast may help.
How Retailers Can Maximise Their Results This Sales Season
Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) is the biggest player in the holiday shopping game and Google’s most recent research suggests consumer interest for the peak sales season starts much earlier than retailers may realise. The pandemic has fundamentally changed buyer behaviour over peak sales season, with Google suggesting that global consumer interest in Black Friday […]
CUB & Clems Melbourne Unveil A Wonderful Ode To Aussie Pubs
This ode to pubs is so visceral and raw you can almost smell the chunder, the beer-soaked carpet & the urinal blocks.
Thank Your Lucky Stars, RMIT Pitch Night Is Back!
RMIT Pitch Night returns! And if you ever needed a reason to break out the cocktail shaker, this has to be it.
Study Reveals Australia Has The 14th Best Netflix Library In The World
Australia falls to 14th on best Netflix library list. However, we're still tops for skin cancer rates & shark attacks.
Watchdog Deems “Karen, Boomer, Femi-Nazi & Snowflake” Are Mildly Offensive To TV & Radio Audiences
Good news for the team at Sky News, as watchdog stops short of banning terms such as Karen, snowflake and femi-nazi.
Nine Working With Local Authorities To Ensure Love Island Goes Ahead After COVID-19 Scare
Love Island production under a cloud after COVID scare. And here's you wrongly blaming gonorrhea.
Seven Appoints New Head Of Research And Insights
Apparently daily OzTAM data not enough, as Seven names new head of research and insights.
Wednesday TV Wrap: ABC Beats 10 In Battle For Bronze
B&T never tires of the true magnificence that's the entry to the ABC's Ultimo studios. Hence this lead photo yet again.
Foxtel Ramps Up Its News Streaming With The Launch Of Flash
Foxtel now offering so much content it's considering offering a free extra day of the week with every subscription.
Agent99 Adds The Distilled Spirits Council Of The U.S & Helen Tarrant To Portfolio
Awindependent PR Agency Agent99 has added The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) to its client roster, alongside thought leader and commercial property specialist, Helen Tarrant. DISCUS is a national trade association representing U.S. producers, marketers, and exporters of distilled spirits. The account was won following a competitive pitch earlier this year. DISCUS has […]
Family Guy Drops COVID Vaccine PSA And It’s Totally Brilliant
Do you often decry "I'd never watch that Family Guy smut", but secretly love Brian & Stewie? You're in for a treat here.
Melbourne Creatives Release “Locktown” T-shirts To Raise Funds For Beyond Blue
Melbourne-based independent creative agency, By All Means, has today released limited edition ‘Locktown’ t-shirts to create a positive, artistic commemoration of their city, while shining a spotlight on the significant impact of lockdown on the mental health of Victorians. After 235 days under strict stay-at-home orders, Melbourne today claims the unenviable crown from Buenos Aires […]
This Is Flow Doubles Up, Winning Riverina Dairy And Liquefy Health Without Pitch
This Is Flow suffering a bout of belching, bloating and occasional fatty stools after winning Riverina Dairy account.
Meet JustEggs: The Digital Agency Driving Customers Back In-Store
B&T still loves the bricks & mortar retail experience. Less so the insidious bricks & mortar sales assistant experience.
Influencer Marketing Agency Komodo Announces New TikTok Offering
Global marketing agency, Komodo, has announced it will be launching a dedicated TikTok arm to the business in Australia, following a series of key industry hires and new creators signed to their roster. The agency, who partners brands with social influencers across the globe, aims to bring a new dimension to influencer marketing by assisting brands […]
Joan Warner Announces She Will Step Down AS CEO Of CRA In 2022
Joan Warner to step down from CRA CEO role, as P&O 16-day 'Bula' Fijian adventure cruise starts to weigh heavily.
Register Now For Your 60-Minute Digital Marketing Masterclass With Rocket Agency’s Co-Founder James Lawrence
Give your marketing skills a buff, polish and a nasal hair trim - and all in just 60 minutes - with this free webinar.
How Retail Can Help Consumers Ride The Emotional Rollercoaster Of COVID-19
According to Fifth Dimension CEO Lyndall Spooner, whether you like roller coasters or not, we have all been riding ‘Dashed Hopes’ the COVID-19 emotional roller coaster for over 18 months and many of us have turned to online retail therapy to cope. Spooner uses the analogy of an emotional roller coaster to depict consumers’ […]
Havas Village Australia Launches “Be Together” To Reunite Staff With Loved Ones When Borders Open
Underscoring its ongoing commitment to team care and wellbeing, during and beyond the pandemic, Havas Village Australia has introduced be together – a reconnection initiative to enable staff to reconnect with loved ones for longer when domestic and international borders reopen. The initiative, which reflects the Havas core value ‘Better Together’, gives staff from Host/Havas, […]
Independent Media Agencies Of Australia Launches First Campaign
if anyone believed in the power of advertising then you'd hope it was the Independent Media Agencies Of Australia.
Howatson+Company Nabs Colenso BBDO’s Levi Slavin For Chief Creative Officer Role
Howatson+Company puts a trying few months behind it with latest hire. That said, the cubicle in the men's not flushing.
Spikes Asia Appoints Jenny Lau As Events Director
When we hear Spikes Asia, B&T thinks a Singapore Sling at Raffles, chilli crab & an irritating heat rash in the groin.
ANZ Brands Top Pattern’s Best Practice Ranking Of Brands On Amazon.com.au
Global ecommerce and marketplace specialist Pattern has ranked a group of 50 brands selling on Amazon.com.au based on a set of best practice criteria it has developed. Pet brand Zenify topped the ranking in Pattern’s Amazon Australia Benchmarking Report, scoring 82 per cent of the possible marks against a set of criteria designed to measure […]
Fifth Dimension Expands Executive Leadership Team
Fifth Dimension Consulting has announced the expansion of its executive leadership team in response to the organisation’s significant growth over the last 18 months. Lyndall Spooner has moved from the position of managing director to the role of chief executive officer (CEO). As CEO, she will lead Fifth Dimensions’ innovation arm, as well as the […]
