The competition regulator says it will examine a range of social media concerns. 

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) Digital Platforms Services Inquiry will examine the state of competition for social media services in Australia as part of the sixth interim report of the ACCC’s five-year Digital Platform Services Inquiry.

It will consider potential consumer issues, including the way that businesses are using social media advertising services such as display advertising, sponsored posts and paid influencers to engage with and advertise to consumers.

It will also examine competition issues involving social media services, including barriers to entry and expansion faced by new platforms, and hurdles and costs faced by consumers and businesses when they try to switch services.

Consumers’ experiences with social media will be considered too, including through the impact of scams and the risk of being exposed to misleading or deceptive content by businesses through social media.

“Social media has become an essential tool for many businesses as they seek to widen their customer bases and engage and communicate with consumers, and for individual consumers to connect and communicate with each other and access critical information,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“We want to hear from businesses and consumers about their experiences with social media services, including with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Snapchat. We hope to examine trends in user preferences and engagement over time, and consider how users choose social media services.”

Submissions can be made to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 9 September 2022.