The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a damning report highlighting the significant risks Australian consumers and businesses face due to the unchecked power of major digital platforms. The 408-page Digital Platform Services report, the culmination of a five-year investigation, paints a stark picture of unfair practices and exploitative conduct.

The ACCC argues that these tech giants, including those based within Australia, hold “entrenched positions of economic power,” enabling them to engage in behavior that harms consumers. This includes a wide range of issues, from unfair trading practices and the proliferation of harmful apps to the rampant creation and sale of fake online reviews.

The report’s findings are backed by a consumer survey revealing a staggering 72 percent of respondents encountered a potentially unfair practice. These practices included hidden charges, accidental clicks leading to unwanted subscriptions, and other deceptive tactics. The ACCC is calling for stronger consumer protections to address these pervasive problems and level the playing field for businesses.

This extensive study shines a light on the urgent need for greater regulation and oversight of digital platforms to protect Australian consumers and ensure a fairer digital marketplace.