IP Bite Employsure Google Ads case continues ACCC seeks tougher penalty
30 March 2022
30 March 2022
Employsure Pty Ltd is a private company which offers workplace relations advisory services to employers and business owners across Australia.
In 2018, the ACCC commenced civil proceedings against Employsure, alleging that it engaged in misleading conduct in breach of the Australian Consumer Law through its use of Google Ads campaigns in 2016–2018. The Google Ads advertisements in question featured headlines such as "Fair Work Ombudsman Help – Free 24/7 Employer Advice" and "Fair Work Commission Advice – Free Employer Advice", and they also appeared in response to search terms such as "fair work ombudsman".
At first instance, the Federal Court dismissed the ACCC's case and found that Employsure's Google Ads advertisements did not mispresent to small businesses that Employsure was, or was affiliated with, a government agency. This decision was overturned by the Full Federal Court in August 2021. The court imposed a penalty of $1 million on Employsure for breaching sections 18 and 29 of the Australian Consumer Law.
The ACCC initially sought a penalty of $5 million on the basis that a strong deterrence effect was needed. It has since filed an appeal against the $1 million penalty judgment on the basis that it is "manifestly inadequate", having regard to the nature of the conduct and the size and financial position of Employsure.
The ACCC's decision to appeal the penalty judgment indicates that the regulator is adopting a tougher stance on internet advertising practices.
One of the ACCC's enforcement and compliance priorities for 2022-2023 is to monitor "consumer and fair trading issues relating to manipulative or deceptive advertising and marketing practices in the digital economy".
This means that the ACCC will be more likely to consider enforcement actions where it believes there has been misleading or deceptive online advertising, particularly if it is published by large businesses and/or has the potential to cause detriment to consumers and small businesses in Australia.
Authors: Lisa Ritson, Partner and Melissa Ho, Lawyer.
The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to.
Readers should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.
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