ACCAN has responded to The Treasury’s Digital Platforms: Government consultation on ACCC’s regulatory reform recommendations Consultation Paper. In our submission we supported the introduction of:

• economy-wide consumer protections, including a prohibition against unfair trading practices and unfair contract terms.
• digital platform specific policies to ameliorate consumer harms by placing obligations on digital platforms to prevent and remove scams, harmful apps and fake reviews.
• external dispute resolution through a digital platforms ombudsman.
• measures to offer consumers greater choice and encourage competition in digital platform markets.

We also recommended the provision of funding for consumer representation on digital platform services. At present there is no consumer body funded to represent digital platform consumers and contribute to the emerging regulatory regime.

Download:  Treasury Consultation Digital Platforms 2023850.61 KB

Download:  Treasury Consultation Digital Platforms 2023325.12 KB