Australia Debates Digital Duty of Care Bill for Tech Platforms

The Australian Labor Party is introducing the Digital Duty of Care Bill to parliament, requiring social media companies to protect users under 18 from bullying, pornography, and content glorifying crime. The legislation introduces a "my feed, my way" option, allowing users to opt out of algorithm-driven feeds. To increase the likelihood of the bill passing, the government removed previous provisions that would have granted ministers the power to ban specific online content.

Communications Minister Anika Wells has urged parliament to pass the measures, stating that some platforms have had 15 years to implement safety changes of their own accord. While independent MPs Zali Steggall and Monique Ryan support the bill, the Coalition remains opposed. Shadow communications spokesperson Sarah Henderson has condemned the legislation as "fatally flawed" and an "attack on free speech."

The Australian Greens, led by David Shoebridge, support the bill's intent but are demanding significant amendments. Shoebridge is pushing for a private right of action that would allow harmed individuals to sue tech platforms for financial compensation. Additionally, the Greens are requesting that fines for breaches be tied to a percentage of a company's global revenue rather than the government's proposed fixed fines, which can exceed A$100 million.