SYDNEY, Australia: The Australian government has introduced new legislation to prevent major technology companies from having unrestricted access to children, requiring platforms to grant users control over algorithmically driven feeds.
Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday, Communications Minister Anika Wells announced the formal introduction of the “Digital Duty of Care” bill into parliament.
Platform accountability and user empowerment
Under the proposed laws, technology companies operating platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram will be required to provide tools allowing users over the age of 16 to opt out of recommendation algorithms.
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The legislation also places direct responsibility on tech firms to protect under-18s from harmful material, including pornography, cyberbullying, content promoting eating disorders, and material that glorifies criminal activity.
“The problem today is that big tech has been allowed to live-test its products on Australians,” Wells told the National Press Club. “Today, I want to make a simple argument: if you build it, you are responsible for its risks.”
Political debate over free speech
The bill faces parliamentary hurdles as the governing Labor party requires support from crossbench parties or the opposition to secure passage through the Senate.
Opposition figures have raised concerns regarding potential government oversight of online expression. In response, Wells confirmed that a draft provision granting ministerial powers to define harmful content was removed from the final text.
“We are not controlling free speech. We are not conducting covert surveillance,” Wells said. “This is not about what people say on the internet. It’s about what platforms do on the internet.”
The legislative step follows Australia’s enforcement of a minimum age limit of 16 for social media usage.
