Australia’s competition watchdog is urging greater choice for internet users, citing Google’s dominant market share and competitors’ failure to capitalize on AI boom.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has expressed concerns that Google, Microsoft, and other tech giants may integrate generative AI tools into their search engines, potentially raising concerns over the accuracy and reliability of search queries.
Google and Microsoft have not commented on the matter, but the ACCC is concerned that the tech giants’ deep pockets and dominant presence will give them an upper hand in the market.
The watchdog is proposing measures to prevent anti-competitive behavior, including the use of service-specific codes that allow consumers to switch between services freely, and addresses data advantages that favor particular companies.
The ACCC’s concerns come as Australia has intensified its scrutiny of the tech giants, following the passage of laws such as those making social media platforms pay media outlets royalties for sharing their content, and a law banning social media for children under 16.
The ACCC will close its enquiry by next March, and the proposed measures have been agreed to in principle by the government.
