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# ACCC Given Additional Powers to Hold Big Tech Accountable

## The Government’s Decision

The Australian government has announced its plan to grant the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) expanded authority, as outlined in the News Media Bargaining Code. This move aims to address the perceived power disparity in the media industry by compelling tech giants such as Google and Meta to allocate resources to local news outlets.

The Treasury’s review of the code, implemented a year ago, has led to five recommendations being enacted by the Commonwealth. These recommendations include endowing the ACCC with increased capabilities to gather information on agreements between tech companies and news organizations, along with the establishment of mandatory reporting requirements to encompass new tech platforms under the code.

## Implications for Tech Companies

Under the code, designated tech companies such as Meta and Google are obliged to engage in negotiations with Australian news outlets to compensate for the perceived value their news products contribute to Google Search and Facebook. The estimated total value of these agreements stands at approximately $200 million, with many of the initial agreements reportedly reaching their conclusion.

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has expressed the government’s desire for commercial negotiations to occur without the use of strict measures, emphasizing the importance of these discussions being driven by commercial principles. Moreover, the ACCC will be empowered to explore the potential inclusion of additional tech companies under the code, with the looming possibility of TikTok being designated due to its surging popularity and usage of news content produced in Australia.

## Background and Legislative Landscape

The News Media Bargaining Code, which emanated from the Digital Platforms Inquiry, was passed in 2021. This groundbreaking legislation prompted discussions on the extent to which globally entrenched mega-corporations influence everyday life. In response to the legislation, Google had threatened to discontinue its Search product, citing significant risk to its local operations, while Meta took the drastic step of entirely removing news content for Australian users.

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