ACCC to probe Slack takeover by Salesforce
Slack probe highlights the ACCC’s move into technology aimed at potentially stopping deals before the companies grow to the size of Google and Facebook.
The ACCC will investigate the proposed $35bn US takeover of corporate software company Slack Technologies by $275bn giant Salesforce.
The move highlights the ACCC’s move into technology aimed at potentially stopping deals before the companies grow to the size of Google and Facebook.
Slack Technologies produces software making it easier for people working remotely to work with other people.
Its rivals include Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
‘Salesforce is a sales and marketing software company.
Slack listed in 2019 valued at $24bn.
In a letter this week the ACCC said “ Slack is an enterprise collaboration platform which allows users to engage in direct and group channel messaging.”
“Among other things, we are seeking to understand: the availability of alternatives to Salesforce’s CRM solution, and how the alternative CRM supplier differs based on factors such as price, quality and features, the availability of alternatives to Slack’s enterprise collaboration, and how the alternative platform differs based on factors such as price, quality and features, the ability of Salesforce’s CRM customers and Slack’s customers to switch to alternatives (as applicable).
The ACCC is finalising its draft report on mobile phone apps due by month’s end and this week unveiled another investigation into control of browser web searches.
Last month its media bargaining code was passed by federal parliament opening the door to deals between media companies and the big platforms like Google and Facebook.
ACCC chief Rod Sims has noted the big four platforms including Apple and Amazon have completed 400 acquisitions in the past 10 years which have been untouched by regulators.
The deals are often small but the companies grow to dominate the space like Facebook’s WhatsApp acquisition which the US Government is trying to unwind.
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