Thread by @MelissaSweetDr

The Digital Industry Group (DIGI), which has Google, Facebook, Twitter & Verizon Media as founding members, is consulting with stakeholders this morning on its plans for a self-regulatory code to address disinformation in Oz #RegulateDigitalPlatforms @CroakeyNews @JulieLeask

Interesting timing given this week's massive own-goal by @Facebook showing the urgent need to #regulatedigitalplatforms (not only in Australia but globally)

Much of the public/policy debate is now focused on #regulatedigitalplatforms as an issue for public interest journalism. Of course at @CroakeyNews we think this is v impt! But there are so many other reasons the massive market power of these companies needs addressing

Following quotes from this US inquiry into the wide-ranging impacts of tech giants monopoly powers judiciary.house.gov/uploadedfiles/… "these firms wield their dominance in ways that erode entrepreneurship, degrade Americans’privacy online, and undermine...the free and diverse press.

"The result is less innovation, fewer choices for consumers, and a weakened democracy." #RegulateDigitalPlatforms

"By controlling access to markets, these giants can pick winners and losers throughout our economy. They not only wield tremendous power, but they also abuse it by charging exorbitant fees, imposing oppressive contract terms, and ...

"...extracting valuable data from the people and businesses that rely on them. Second, each platform uses its gatekeeper position to maintain its market power. By controlling the infrastructure of the digital age, they have surveilled other businesses to identify potential rivals

"and have ultimately bought out, copied, or cut off their competitive threats. And, finally, these firms have abused their role as intermediaries to further entrench and expand their dominance.

"Whether through self-preferencing, predatory pricing, or exclusionary conduct, the dominant platforms have exploited their power in order to become even more dominant.

"To put it simply, companies that once were scrappy, underdog startups that challenged the status quo have become the kinds of monopolies we last saw in the era of oil barons and railroad tycoons.

"Although these firms have delivered clear benefits to society, the dominance of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google has come at a price. These firms typically run the marketplace while also competing in it..

"—a position that enables them to write one set of rules for others, while they play by another,or to engage in a form of their own private quasiregulation that is unaccountable to anyone but themselves."

Those are the findings from a massive inquiry; the investigation involved 1,287,997 documents and communications; testimony from 38 witnesses; a hearing record that spans more than 1,800 pages; 38 submissions from 60 antitrust experts from across the political spectrum...

and interviews with more than 240 market participants, former employees of the investigated platforms, and other individuals totaling thousands of hours. Plus hearings and roundtables with industry and government witnesses, consultations with subject-matter experts

Given the evidence from this and other inquiries in other countries, there is a strong public interest onus on govts to #regulatedigitalplatforms. Yes, #PIJmatters, but this is about so much more than any one sector

This week Australia felt just a small taste (relatively) of the dangers of unchecked, under-regulated corporate power. Thanks @mariemcinerney for wrapping some of the immediate & most obvious impacts for the health sector croakey.org/facebook-actio…

Perhaps we will now see the health sector engaging much more proactively with policy debate around #regulatedigitalplatforms? #AusPol

Meanwhile, the DIGI roundtable on a self-regulatory industry disinformation code will be held this morning under Chatham House rules. For the record, here is the @CroakeyNews submission: croakey.org/wp-content/upl…

Here is the @CroakeyNews story on our submission: "Federal Govshould commission & fund public health experts to make recommendations for regulating the digital platforms to address the tide of disinformation and misinformation croakey.org/federal-govern…

And here is our story from this week calling for political leadership. croakey.org/political-lead… It's yet another reminder of how a Health in All Policies approach could help improve wider policy making... #HiAP

Thread: @SummerMayFinlay @JulieLeask @JanineMilera @MegBastard @_PHAA_ @AHPA_AU @GregHuntMP @coopesdetat @JenniferDoggett @mariemcinerney @Mark_Butler_MP