Overview
- An exposure draft of the digital duty of care is expected this week and would require platforms to offer users a clear choice to switch off recommender algorithms, typically via regular pop-up prompts.
- The bill would place legal responsibility on social media companies to identify and mitigate risks and to remove illegal or harmful content, with proposed penalties of around A$100 million for breaches.
- The eSafety Commissioner and registered independent researchers would get expanded powers to investigate platform behaviour, including using test accounts that can pose as children to see what algorithms surface.
- The proposal has split politics: Labor is urging fast passage and stronger enforcement of the under‑16 ban, the Coalition has warned of censorship risks, and the Greens and campaigners want default non‑algorithmic feeds and fines tied to company profits.
- Experts and reviews warn practical hurdles could limit the reforms: age checks and enforcement are already imperfect, different feed types complicate an opt‑out, and technical and cross‑border challenges will shape whether the rules actually reduce harm.