As the government continues to weigh up the 23 recommendations made by the ACCC in the Digital Platforms Inquiry, the industry association that represents Google, Facebook and Twitter has issued a stern warning.

The Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI) has today released its submission to the Treasury on the ACCC’s final Digital Platforms Inquiry (DPI) report, warning of the potential damage significant reforms could bring.

“We recognise the importance of the issues raised in the DPI. However, we note that its original terms of reference were to investigate the state of competition in the media and advertising services markets, particularly in relation to news and journalistic content,” said DIGI managing director Sunita Bose.

“We are concerned that the final recommendations have unintended consequences for a wide range of digital service providers, organisations that rely upon digital services to market goods and services, consumers of online
services, and for the Australian economy.”

Bose urged the government to consider the “unintended consequences” that major reforms would have on the digital industry, as well as other affected industries.

DIGI is a non-profit industry association that represents members Google, Facebook, Twitter, Verizon Media, Redbubble and GoFundMe and advocates for the growth of Australia’s tech sector.

Released in July after almost 18 months of anticipation, the ACCC’s 600-page report laid the foundations for a new media regulatory framework in response to the “substantial market power” of tech giants.

The government is currently working with the industry and relevant stakeholders as part of a 12-week consultation process, before releasing the new framework by the end of the year.