A government-led review recommends a new duty of care for tech platforms to prevent harmful online content, including hefty fines for non-compliance. However, the Australian government is delaying implementation due to potential trade tensions with the U.S. and the upcoming federal election.
Michelle Rowland will today release a report from top public servant Delia Rickard recommending a new duty of care for tech platforms.A government review led by top public servant Delia Rickard has recommended an enforceable duty of care on tech platforms to take steps to avoid harmful online content.
The proposed fine would apply to tech platforms that breach a new "duty of care" enforced by the eSafety commissioner that would require them to be proactive about preventing child exploitation, online hate and content promoting substance abuse or eating disorders.The "Digital Duty of Care" has the potential to be the most meaningful change to online safety laws in Australian history, writes national technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre.
The UK and the EU already take a similar approach, and the government itself proposed similar in its shelved misinformation and disinformation bill. It would also cover child sexual exploitation and grooming, threats to "national security and social cohesion", and "promotion of harmful practices" such as suicide, disordered eating or dangerous dares.
For the online hate component, Ms Rickard has recommended broad exemptions for any "ideas, concepts or institutions", art, science, journalism and reasonable political communication, an effort to avoid the free speech concerns raised by the misinformation and disinformation bill.
Policy Government DUTY OF CARE TECH REGULATION ONLINE SAFETY PENALTIES ELECTION
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