ACCC

Allowing Google's planned $3 billion acquisition of fitness device company Fitbit to go through would give the search giant "unprecedented" access to sensitive personal data and would substantially lessen competition in several markets, a privacy rights group has told the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

A settlement between the ACCC and STA Travel has resulted in a penalty of $14 million after the court found the travel agency misled consumers about their ability to change flight dates and other travel details.

Digital giants Google and Facebook will be required to pay for news content under a new mandatory code being developed by the Government to create a ‘level playing field’ in the Australian media industry, which is facing a sharp decline in advertising revenue driven by the coronavirus.

Personal healthcare giant PZ Cussons is seeking indemnity costs from the ACCC, claiming the regulator unreasonably rejected a settlement offer in its case over an alleged laundry detergent cartel.

Barristers for the ACCC and online retailer Kogan have been asked to robe up at home as the previously in-person trial shifts to videochat in response to the COVID-19 health crisis.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has found Bunnings' $30 million takeover of Adelaide Tools and Oaklands Mower Centre would not substantially lessen competition, but warned it would closely scrutinise future moves that would further cement the hardware giant's dominant position.

Tasmanian state-owned ports company TasPorts has admitted to charging additional fees to the owner of a local port, but has denied the ACCC's allegations that these actions constituted a misuse of market power designed to stymie competition.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will scale back its use of certain investigatory tools, such as compulsory examinations, amid the strain on Australian businesses from the spread of COVID-19.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will allow Regional Express to coordinate with Qantas and Virgin on certain regional routines during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has taken swift action to allow medical technology companies to coordinate on supplying ventilators, protective gear and other equipment in high demand due to the coronavirus.