27 Feb Submission to Senate Inquiry into digital platforms
This submission to the Senate Inquiry into the influence of international digital platforms focuses on the need to protect consumers from harm fuelled by unhealthy marketing on digital platforms, relevant to points (c) and (d) in the Inquiry Terms of Reference and the topics of algorithms and transparency, data and privacy, and children’s safety outlined in the Inquiry issues paper.
Digital technologies can provide the community with benefits that support health and wellbeing, including social connectivity, access to learning opportunities, and flexible working opportunities. However, digital platforms are currently operating in a way that enables harmful marketing for unhealthy products, including for alcohol. Higher standards for how unhealthy products are marketed on digital platforms are urgently needed to better protect the community.
The online marketing of harmful and addictive products must be considered when examining the operation of international digital platforms in Australia. Digital platforms are currently profiting from harmful marketing practices at the expense of the health and wellbeing of the Australian community.