Australia proposed a law on Monday that could impose fines of up to A$50 million ($33 million) on global technology companies if they suppress competition and prevent consumers from switching between services.
The centre-left Labor government has targeted Big Tech's influence, and parliament passed a law last week that banned social media for children aged under 16.
The proposed law would empower Australia's competition regulator to oversee compliance, investigate anti-competitive practices online and fine companies, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said in excerpts of a speech due later on Monday.
"The digital economy challenges our current legal framework," Jones will in the speech viewed by Reuters at the public policy research McKell Institute in Sydney.
"The dominant platforms can charge higher costs, reduce choice, and use sneaky tactics to lock consumers into using certain products. Innovation outside of the established players becomes almost impossible."
Apple, Google and Meta, which dominate app downloads and ad revenues, did not immediately respond when approached for comment on the proposed law.
The consultation process is scheduled to end on Feb. 14 and more discussions will be done to prepare the draft legislation.
The planned law, similar to the European Union's Digital Markets Act legislation, could make it easier for people to move among competing services, such as social media platforms, internet browsers and app stores.
Based on advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the government can pick platforms that pose the greatest risk of hurting competition.
"Initially, we will look to prioritise app marketplaces and ad tech services for service-specific obligations," Jones will say.
These specific obligations would restrict companies from pushing their apps with low user ratings to the top of their search list and prevent providing favourable treatment to their own services, compared with third parties.
A competition commission report on digital platform services in 2022 showed Google controlled 93% to 95% of online search services in Australia, while Apple's App Store accounted for about 60% of app downloads and Google Play Store 40%.
Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram together supplied 79% of social media services in the country.
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New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known internationally for his role in 'Jurassic Park', died suddenly on Monday aged 78 after recovering from cancer, his family said.
Australia on Friday confirmed the first case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus in a native seabird, marking a new phase in the disease's spread after it landed on the country's shores last month.
Australia and India have finalised an agreement allowing Australian uranium exports for India's nuclear energy sector, expanding cooperation on clean energy, critical minerals and infrastructure as the two countries strengthen their strategic and economic partnership.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
An overnight fire at a popular bar in Bangkok has killed at least 30 people and injured 70 others, making it one of the deadliest pub disasters in the Thai capital in recent years. Authorities say the venue quickly filled with thick smoke, trapping patrons inside.
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
The United States has announced a campaign to weaken the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing the tribunal as a threat to American sovereignty and signalling that further sanctions, visa restrictions and diplomatic pressure on allies could follow.
The United Kingdom, the European Union, Spain and Gibraltar have formally signed a treaty establishing new arrangements for movement and border procedures between Gibraltar and Spain.
Around 500 soldiers from countries supporting Ukraine marched down Paris's Champs-Élysées during France's annual Bastille Day parade. France said the procession, which also included 25 Ukrainian soldiers, demonstrated that Europe was ready to respond to growing international threats.
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