Australia launches inquiry into tech giants

Big tech has big questions to answer.

That was the message from Australia's Prime Minister on Wednesday as he launched an investigation into the behaviour of the world's largest tech companies.

Australia is already leading global efforts to reign in the powers of the likes of Alphabet and Facebook.

This latest inquiry will investigate the algorithms used by social media platforms, how the companies verify identification and age, and the extent to which restrictions on these are being enforced.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said more regulation could be on the horizon.

"We're saying something very simple: you built it, you make it safe, and if you won't we will make you and that's what we've been doing for these many years now."

Morrison's announcement is likely to stoke tensions between Canberra and the tech giants.

Earlier this year, Australia implemented tough new laws that made Facebook and Google pay local media for content.

The committee in charge of the new inquiry will report its findings by February next year.