Australia Proposes A$109.2 Million Penalties for Unsafe Digital Platforms
The Australian government has proposed a Digital Duty of Care Bill that would impose formal safety obligations on online services, with penalties of up to A$109.2 million for unsafe digital platforms. The proposal focuses on how online services operate, the content and features they expose users to, and the choices available to users. The government has invited public submissions on proposed rules governing users' choice of social media feeds, with consultation open until November 5, 2026.
The bill follows Australia's restrictions on social media access for children under 16, but takes a broader approach covering platform operations rather than only who can access social media. Until the bill secures parliamentary approval, the proposed duties, powers and penalties remain proposals rather than enforceable law.
The final legislation will depend on negotiations over how far platform accountability should extend and what remedies should be available to affected users. (GSM, based on the Australian government proposal and media reporting)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 堪培拉国会大厦外观。 Photo by Kgbo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
