What you need to know:

• ACCC chair Rod Sims has been appointed to a global role exploring competition in the digital space. He is now the Vice Chair Digital Coordination and Asia Pacific Liaison at the International Competition Network.
• The appointment comes as Sims prepares to release the long-awaited Digital Advertising Services Inquiry report, which is currently with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
• Google has urged the government not to make any adtech reforms without first airing changes to the Privacy Act, which are also expected imminently. Others agree.

Rod Sims, the chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has been appointed to a global role overseeing competition in the digital economy, days before a major report into the advertising technology sector is to be released.

Sims has been confirmed as the new Vice Chair of Digital Co-ordination, and the Asia Pacific Liaison, for the International Competition Network (ICN). He will co-ordinate projects and discussions about digital competition for ICN, which is an organisation of national and multi-national competition law enforcement bodies.

The role means he will have a prominent say in digital regulation, as the ICN works on consensus and allows global regulators to share learnings and work together to enforce decisions and write policy.

“Competition regulators are increasingly dealing with global issues that require global responses, underscoring the importance of the ICN’s work,” Sims said in a statement.

“Competition authorities around the world have much to discuss and learn from each other as we continue to face the challenges posed by the need to promote competition and good consumer outcomes in many areas of the digital economy.”

The ICN was created in 2001 with 14 members, including Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and Zambia. It now has more than 120 member agencies.

The ACCC has finalised its final report following the Digital Advertising Services Inquiry, which was given to Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg before 31 August. It is expected to be released in coming weeks, as is a review of Australia’s Privacy laws.

Google has said publicly it wants both reviews – privacy and the adtech inquiry – to work together, and the ACCC has flagged the same.

“It is important to ensure any recommendations do not harm consumers and will not be inconsistent with the outcome of the ongoing legislative review,” Google said in one of its four submissions to the inquiry. In its submission, Google linked to Mi3’s story about Big Tech’s dominance being strengthened without the Privacy Act review being released first – a view seconded by publishers agencies and the IAB.