A young girl uses her phone while sitting on a bench in Sydney. The Australian government has moved in recent years to crack down on social media giants and big tech companies, to address what it views as a wave of misinformation and negative content impacting children and sweeping the nation’s online spaces. — AP
The Australian government plans to enact laws requiring big tech firms to protect its citizens online, the latest move by the centre-left Labor administration to crack down on social media including through age limits and curbs on misinformation.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced the government’s plan for a legislated Digital Duty of Care in Australia on Wednesday night, saying it aligned with similar laws in the UK and European Union.