Wells defends new online safety laws

Communications minister Anika Wells told the National Press Club on Thursday that Labor's digital duty of care laws will not control free speech or conduct covert surveillance.

“This is not about what people say on the internet. It's about what platforms do on the internet.”

What Australians can still do online

Adults can listen to manosphere podcasts, post views about government, make memes, or say the moon landing was fake without restriction under the new laws.

“if adults listen to manosphere podcasts, or people post their views about the government, or make memes, or want to say the moon landing was fake, they can continue to do so without restriction”

What the laws actually target

The digital duty of care laws place an overarching obligation on tech platforms to provide safe online environments and protect users from misogynistic, pro-terror, suicide, self-harm, and eating disorder content.

“If you build it, you are responsible for its risks.”

New user controls over algorithms

The laws introduce my feed my way, allowing social media users to opt out of algorithmic feeds and see only content from pages they actively chose to follow.

Penalties for non-compliance

Platforms face fines of more than one hundred million dollars for failing to comply with the new digital duty of care requirements.

Coalition accuses Labor of censorship

The Coalition claims the laws would secretly control and censor Australian speech. Liberal frontbencher James Paterson said the bill was a bid to secretly control Australian speech, to censor Australian speech.

“to secretly control Australian speech, to censor Australian speech”

Controversy over sockpuppet accounts

Critics including Pauline Hanson claim the laws would allow government bots to spread propaganda. Wells said sockpuppets would only be used for research and enforcement, with annual reporting required.

“swarms of AI-powered government bots to feed you propaganda and record what you do online”

Greens support but want stronger rules

The Greens broadly support the bill but want to add private action rights for ordinary Australians to sue tech companies and dramatically increase fines for breaches.

Bill heads to Senate inquiry

The digital duty of care laws will go to a Senate inquiry to report back in late November. Labor hopes to pass the bill this year.