Latest news with #AustralianCompetitionandConsumerCommission
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Apple says competition changes could open door to scams
Australians could lose more money to fraudsters, miss out on cutting-edge tech features, and fail to see lower prices under changes proposed to boost competition on digital platforms. US tech giant Apple issued the warnings on Friday, urging the government not to "follow a handful of untested laws" from other countries in its submission to a Digital Competition Regime consultation. But experts say consumers could benefit from greater competition, with the pushback coming as Apple fights regulatory changes in Europe and the US that could force it to allow third-party payments without taking commissions. Changes were proposed to rules governing digital platforms following the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Digital Platforms inquiry, with consultation on regulations closing in February. Australian businesses and consumers needed greater rights on digital platforms and up-front rules to govern their conduct, the consultation paper said, as a concentration of power could lead to "higher prices, reduced choice and lower innovation". Apple rejected these outcomes in its submission and, in a separate statement, insisted the company's ecosystem helped developers and security features protected consumers from fraud and scams. "We are concerned the proposed digital competition regime will chill this innovation and threaten user security," the company said in a statement. "We welcome the opportunity to continue engaging with the government on behalf of our Australian customers." In its submission, Apple objected to changes that would allow users to "side-load" third-party apps onto their devices, force the company to accept third-party payments without commissions, and demand interoperability with other platforms. Australian regulators should create their laws rather than use other countries' rules as a template, the submission said. "Apple believes the ultimate framework should be tailored to the needs of Australian consumers and businesses, rather than follow a handful of untested laws in other jurisdictions that could pose significant unintended and negative consequences if implemented in Australia," the submission said. The European Union's Digital Markets Act had delayed the launch of AI features on Apple devices, the company said, and forced it to permit pornographic and torrenting apps on its platform. Both the European Commission and US courts are demanding Apple change its policies and accept third-party in-app payments without commissions following the act and a court case launched by Fortnite creator Epic Games. Changing laws to bring more competition to platforms would benefit Australian consumers, Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said, although he warned many users were unlikely to change their iPhone settings or install unapproved software. "The European experience has shown that most people keep the default settings even as the platform does open up," he said. "Apple users tend to value the security and privacy of the platform." Changes proposed in the Digital Competition Regime included preventing tech companies from prioritising their products, removing payment restrictions, and mandating timely app approval processes.
West Australian
3 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
Apple says competition changes could open door to scams
Australians could lose more money to fraudsters, miss out on cutting-edge tech features, and fail to see lower prices under changes proposed to boost competition on digital platforms. US tech giant Apple issued the warnings on Friday, urging the government not to "follow a handful of untested laws" from other countries in its submission to a Digital Competition Regime consultation. But experts say consumers could benefit from greater competition, with the pushback coming as Apple fights regulatory changes in Europe and the US that could force it to allow third-party payments without taking commissions. Changes were proposed to rules governing digital platforms following the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Digital Platforms inquiry, with consultation on regulations closing in February. Australian businesses and consumers needed greater rights on digital platforms and up-front rules to govern their conduct, the consultation paper said, as a concentration of power could lead to "higher prices, reduced choice and lower innovation". Apple rejected these outcomes in its submission and, in a separate statement, insisted the company's ecosystem helped developers and security features protected consumers from fraud and scams. "We are concerned the proposed digital competition regime will chill this innovation and threaten user security," the company said in a statement. "We welcome the opportunity to continue engaging with the government on behalf of our Australian customers." In its submission, Apple objected to changes that would allow users to "side-load" third-party apps onto their devices, force the company to accept third-party payments without commissions, and demand interoperability with other platforms. Australian regulators should create their laws rather than use other countries' rules as a template, the submission said. "Apple believes the ultimate framework should be tailored to the needs of Australian consumers and businesses, rather than follow a handful of untested laws in other jurisdictions that could pose significant unintended and negative consequences if implemented in Australia," the submission said. The European Union's Digital Markets Act had delayed the launch of AI features on Apple devices, the company said, and forced it to permit pornographic and torrenting apps on its platform. Both the European Commission and US courts are demanding Apple change its policies and accept third-party in-app payments without commissions following the act and a court case launched by Fortnite creator Epic Games. Changing laws to bring more competition to platforms would benefit Australian consumers, Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said, although he warned many users were unlikely to change their iPhone settings or install unapproved software. "The European experience has shown that most people keep the default settings even as the platform does open up," he said. "Apple users tend to value the security and privacy of the platform." Changes proposed in the Digital Competition Regime included preventing tech companies from prioritising their products, removing payment restrictions, and mandating timely app approval processes.
7NEWS
a day ago
- General
- 7NEWS
Urgent recalls of children's light-up clogs and Crocs Jibbitz Charms over button battery fears
Two popular children's products are being urgently recalled over fears they could lead to choking or even death. Best & Less children's light-up clogs have been recalled after it was discovered they may not comply with mandatory standards for products containing button batteries, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said. 'The light component can separate from the shoe and liberate small parts, including the button battery,' the ACCC said. '(There is a) risk of choking, severe internal burn injuries or death to young children if they gain access to the button/coin batteries and swallow or place them inside their body.' The ACCC warned severe or fatal injuries could happen in two hours or less, and noted an incident had already occurred with the shoes. The product was available for sale nationally and online from September 1, 2024 through to May 22, 2025, had a risk of Consumers are told to stop using the product immediately and to keep out of reach of children, and to return them to any Best & Less store for a refund. A recall has also been issued for Crocs LED Jibbitz Charms, which were available between June 22, 2022 until April 19, 2024 and sold nationally, international and online. The item was recalled for not complying with the mandatory information standards for products containing button batteries. The ACCC said consumers may be unaware that the product contains button batteries. 'Stop using the product immediately and keep it out of reach of children,' they said. 'Dispose of the product in accordance with local requirements for disposal of batteries.'
The Age
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Age
Victoria's first petrol price app could increase prices, but still worthwhile: report
An app displaying real-time fuel prices at Victorian petrol stations will cost about $2.4 million a year to run and may only save customers $5 or $10 a year – and could contribute to price increases – but will still be worthwhile, research has found. The Allan government wants to publish up-to-date fuel prices on the Service Victoria app to save drivers time in finding the cheapest petrol. The scheme would cost the government $1.3 million and the industry $1.15 million per year to run, totalling an annual $2.4 million. Consultants asked by the government to assess the plan say it's unclear whether it would decrease costs for consumers — or increase them. Some fuel price transparency schemes lead to cheaper prices, while others lead to higher prices, advisory firm Sapere said. But Sapere concluded that real-time price disclosure would still be worthwhile by saving motorists time. 'On balance, we expect that in the medium to long-term there will be net benefits,' it said in its recent regulatory impact statement. Victoria is the only state or territory without a fuel price transparency scheme. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which monitors the retail price of unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG, found Melburnians could have saved $333 by comparing petrol prices in 2023. Unleaded prices currently range from as low as $1.49 a litre to as high as $2.09 a litre. It takes about 6½ weeks for Melbourne's petrol prices to move from a low point to a peak and back to a low point.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Victoria's first petrol price app could increase prices, but still worthwhile: report
An app displaying real-time fuel prices at Victorian petrol stations will cost about $2.4 million a year to run and may only save customers $5 or $10 a year – and could contribute to price increases – but will still be worthwhile, research has found. The Allan government wants to publish up-to-date fuel prices on the Service Victoria app to save drivers time in finding the cheapest petrol. The scheme would cost the government $1.3 million and the industry $1.15 million per year to run, totalling an annual $2.4 million. Consultants asked by the government to assess the plan say it's unclear whether it would decrease costs for consumers — or increase them. Some fuel price transparency schemes lead to cheaper prices, while others lead to higher prices, advisory firm Sapere said. But Sapere concluded that real-time price disclosure would still be worthwhile by saving motorists time. 'On balance, we expect that in the medium to long-term there will be net benefits,' it said in its recent regulatory impact statement. Victoria is the only state or territory without a fuel price transparency scheme. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which monitors the retail price of unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG, found Melburnians could have saved $333 by comparing petrol prices in 2023. Unleaded prices currently range from as low as $1.49 a litre to as high as $2.09 a litre. It takes about 6½ weeks for Melbourne's petrol prices to move from a low point to a peak and back to a low point.
