Labor’s plan to crack down on social media algorithms faces significant opposition in federal parliament, with the opposition leader, Angus Taylor, warning against efforts by the government to “censor” free speech online. The communications minister, Anika Wells, is expected to release draft legislation creating a digital duty of care for social media users in Australia as parliament returns this week. Among new rules being considered are functions requiring popular social media platforms to allow users to turn off algorithms controlling the content in their feeds, and to better identify problematic or illegal content to protect vulnerable users including children.
Labor wants to better protect social media users from being fed content that reinforces dangerous stereotypes and behaviours, including in areas around body image, women’s safety and child protection. than $100m would be created for breaches, with new powers given to the eSafety commissioner and researchers to investigate compliance by big platforms. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is expected to spruik the plan at the United Nations general assembly in New York later this month. Taylor told News24 on Sunday the government should focus on fixing problems with its under 16s social media ban before taking on new rules like the digital duty of care.
What we want to see is parents having more control over what the kids get to see on social media. I fear that this is just going to be an attempt by the government to censor social media.” He warned against the communications minister having “enormous” discretion in any new powers. Given the opposition from the Coalition and One Nation, any new legislation would require support from the Greens to pass the Senate.
The Greens have called for opt-in rules, like those supported by campaigner Chanel Contos. That model would require social media users to give explicit consent to platforms before being subject to algorithm-based content in their feed.
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