Google and Meta Face Penalties for Anti-Competitive Behavior Towards South African News Media

The South African Competition Commission has recently taken action against tech giants Google and Meta (formerly Facebook) for engaging in anti-competitive behavior that negatively impacts the local news media landscape. These actions aim to promote fair competition and support local news media outlets, which have been struggling to generate revenue and maintain sustainability in the face of dominant platforms.



Google has been accused of self-preferencing and favoring its own services in search results, which restricts competition and disadvantages smaller, local news platforms. This practice makes it difficult for these platforms to gain visibility and attract users, ultimately affecting their ability to generate revenue through online advertising. The OIPMI report recommends improving ad identification and/or elevating organic search results to address these issues.

Meta, on the other hand, has been criticized for restricting GovChat's access to data on its WhatsApp Business API. GovChat is a startup that connects government and citizens, processing social security applications and civic issue complaints. By restricting GovChat's access, Meta prevented the platform from expanding its services and reaching a larger audience, impacting its ability to facilitate real-time communication between the government and citizens. This restriction negatively affected the public's access to these essential services.



The Competition Commission has proposed several regulatory measures to address these anti-competitive behaviors and promote fair competition. These measures include improving ad identification and elevating organic search results for Google, and removing restrictions on GovChat's access to WhatsApp Business API for Meta. Additionally, the commission has recommended price regulation or a complete end to the default arrangements of Google Play and Apple App stores to increase competition among software app stores.

These regulatory measures aim to level the playing field for local news media outlets, making it easier for them to compete with larger, established platforms for online advertising revenue and audience engagement. By addressing anti-competitive behaviors, these measures could help support the sustainability of news media outlets in South Africa and promote a more competitive market.

In conclusion, Google and Meta's anti-competitive behaviors have had significant impacts on the ability of South African news media outlets to generate revenue and maintain sustainability. The proposed regulatory measures aim to address these issues and promote fair competition, ultimately supporting local news media and fostering a more competitive market. As these measures are implemented, it will be essential to monitor their effectiveness and ensure they support the growth and sustainability of local news media outlets.