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The Competition Commission is calling for participation in its online market inquiry that will take place virtually during November, in the form of public hearings into the functioning of the online economy, factors that could hinder competition or participation and proposals for solutions to any issues identified.
Large and small online platforms and retailers, businesses that use online channels to reach consumers, business organisations, venture capitalists that invest in the digital economy and the public who use online channels are all invited to take part in the Digital Markets Inquiry by going to the inquiry website.
The structure of the public hearings and how stakeholders can participate is explained on the website, that also contains an inquiry hearing form that stakeholders can complete and send to the inquiry’s email address at oipmi@compcom.co.za before the end of September. The inquiry will communicate the programme for the public hearings a week later.
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Stakeholders who are unable to attend the public hearings can also use the other measures put in place to participate. The website has a survey for businesses that uses online channels to reach consumers that will help the inquiry to understand the experience of business users and in particular:
According to the Competition Commission, it is essential that businesses undertake the survey to ensure their voices are heard. Stakeholders can send written submissions as part of the further statement of issues to the email address.
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South African consumers and businesses have embraced online channels since the pandemic started for:
The commission launched a probe into competition and participation in the online economy earlier this year, in response to the growing importance of the online economy and competition concerns in these markets emerging in other countries, to ensure that consumers and businesses benefit from competition among online platforms and that small and historically disadvantaged businesses also get a chance to participate fairly in the online economy.
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The commission says the first phase of information gathering has been completed and the insights gained resulted in the release of a Further Statement of Issues (FSOI) that identified market dynamics and practices that could potentially hinder competition or result in unfair treatment of businesses using popular online platforms. These issues include:
The virtual public hearings will be held from 2 to 19 November and are expected to unlock a public conversation on the preliminary observations and identify any actions or business practice changes that can positively shape the burgeoning online economy to provide the best outcomes for consumers and the businesses that depend on online selling.
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