The inquiry aims to also probe how the big tech firms process children’s data and use behavioural advertising, looking at other countries which have been successful in regulating the space.
The European Commission recently adopted new rules for US big tech firms with the passage of the Digital Markets Act, which touch on many of the potential areas for the senate inquiry.
The inquiry will hold public hearings, with local executives from the US firms likely to be invited to appear. The motion passed by the Senate outlined how the inquiry is expected to produce a final report by end of 2023.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been conducting its own review into the antitrust rules which govern the US-based tech giants.