Latest news with #DigitalPlatformServices
Bangkok Post
14-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Thailand tightens e-commerce control
Government agencies have further tightened oversight of digital platforms and products available via online channels to ensure consumer benefit and prevent sales of subpar products. The Royal Gazette published on July 9 an announcement of the Electronic Transactions Development Agency's (ETDA) name list of 19 high impact digital platforms that are required to comply with Section 20 of the existing Digital Platform Services (DPS) royal decree. The announcement came into effect as of July 10. Section 20 of the law obliges these platforms to conduct a business risk assessment and risk management. These platforms sell or advertise products subject to official standards and fall under special compliance rules due to their potential risks to economic stability, financial security and the public's trust in digital systems. These platforms include Shopee, Lazada, Grab, SIA E-Auction System, LINE Shopping, Alibaba, NocNoc and AliExpress. The others are Thisshop, Rakmao, Taobao, SCGHome, ONESIAM Application, ReadyPlastic Auction, ROOTS Platform, Temu and eBay. The name list will be reviewed on an annual basis. In a related matter, the ETDA and its partners are continuing the campaign aimed at suppressing fraudulent and illegal online ads. According to the ETDA, such ads resulted in damage valued at over 19 billion baht last year. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Lazada, Shopee and LINE Shopping have joined forces to utilise the application programming interface system to prevent the sale of unauthorised health products. Surachoke Tangwiwat, secretary-general of the FDA, said it has also partnered with the Institute for Population and Social Research at Mahidol University and the Institute of Field Robotics at King Mongkut's University of Technology, Thonburi, to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of detecting advertisements for smuggled or unlabelled health products with high efficiency. The project is also supported by the World Health Organization's Thailand office. According to the Public Health Ministry, these initiatives mark a crucial step forward in strengthening consumer protection in the digital era. These efforts integrate technology, policy and cross-sector collaboration to build public trust that health products purchased via e-commerce are safe and meet quality standards.
The Advertiser
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Call for laws to stop harm to consumers, firms online
Australia needs new laws and regulations to prevent significant harm to consumers and businesses from the exploitative practices of US tech giants. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines. The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games. The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws. The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians. "While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said. "This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets." Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes. A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints. Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms. The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms. Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts. The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. "Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices. The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February. Australia needs new laws and regulations to prevent significant harm to consumers and businesses from the exploitative practices of US tech giants. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines. The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games. The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws. The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians. "While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said. "This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets." Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes. A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints. Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms. The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms. Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts. The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. "Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices. The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February. Australia needs new laws and regulations to prevent significant harm to consumers and businesses from the exploitative practices of US tech giants. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines. The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games. The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws. The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians. "While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said. "This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets." Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes. A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints. Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms. The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms. Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts. The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. "Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices. The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February. Australia needs new laws and regulations to prevent significant harm to consumers and businesses from the exploitative practices of US tech giants. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines. The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games. The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws. The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians. "While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said. "This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets." Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes. A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints. Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms. The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms. Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts. The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. "Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices. The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February.
Perth Now
23-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Call for laws to stop harm to consumers, firms online
Australia needs new laws and regulations to prevent significant harm to consumers and businesses from the exploitative practices of US tech giants. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines. The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games. The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws. The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians. "While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said. "This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets." Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes. A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints. Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms. The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms. Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts. The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google. "Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. "It is critical that the proposed digital competition regime enable the ACCC to continue monitoring changes to services it has previously examined, as well as new technologies that emerge over time." The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices. The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February.
