The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will investigate data brokers as part of its ongoing inquiry into digital platform services. In its eighth issues paper, the ACCC highlighted concerns related to data collection, storage, supply, processing, and analysis services provided by data brokers in Australia. The commission is seeking public input on the data brokerage sector until early August and plans to release an interim report by the end of March 2024. The investigation aims to assess the potential consumer and small business harms and benefits associated with data brokers’ activities and explore options for reform. The ACCC expressed concerns about the lack of transparency regarding data usage, potential misuse of personal information, discrimination, incorrect data utilization, and misleading terms and conditions. The inquiry will focus on data products and services offered by brokers such as CoreLogic, Equifax, Experian, Illion, LiveRamp, Nielsen, PropTrack, Oracle, and Quantium. The ACCC aims to shed light on data brokers’ operations and the implications for competition and consumer welfare. The commission encourages input from data brokers, consumers, and businesses involved in the data broker industry.
The ACCC is looking into the practises of Australian data brokers
