Australia: ACCC to reshape guidelines in response to startups

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims has flagged his concern that startups and “anti-competitive” responses to new technologies by incumbent businesses, as well as those restricting consumer access to data, are bringing with them challenges to protecting the rights of consumers in Australia.

Speaking at the National Consumer Congress on Wednesday, Sims said that fast-moving “disruptive” technologies and new retail practices he called “subscription traps” often fall short of complying with Australian Consumer Law.

“New technology has increased access to more products, services, and information for consumers but with it come new challenges for consumer advocates and regulators,” he explained.

“In the past year we’ve been working on issues as varied as the sharing economy, rogue online traders, and of course, raising awareness about scam artists finding ever more sophisticated ways to part people from their hard-earned cash.”

According to Sims, it is difficult regulating under Australian Consumer Law as the concept of a global marketplace gains prominence.

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