Donald Trump has criticised Anthony Albanese’s government over planned online safety laws that could expose major US technology companies to fines of up to $100million and require social media platforms to offer users an alternative to algorithm-driven feeds.
The proposal, described by the Albanese government as a digital duty of care, would set minimum safety obligations for social media firms and give Australians the option of viewing a feed limited to posts from accounts they follow, rather than content selected by algorithms.
Platforms would also be expected to take active measures to reduce users’ exposure to harmful material online.
That could cover content encouraging eating disorders, misogynistic material, pornography, or posts that glorify criminal behaviour.
Companies found to have breached the proposed duty of care could be penalised with fines reaching as much as $100million.
The planned reforms would expand Australia’s already world-first ban preventing children under 16 from using social media.
A White House spokesman said the Trump administration had consistently cautioned other nations against introducing measures aimed at American tech firms.
‘President Trump has unequivocally warned trading partners against imposing digital services taxes, fines, and other forms of extortion on America’s leading technology sector. The [Trump] administration remains committed to raising these issues with our trading partners.’
Donald Trump has lashed out at Anthony Albanese’s government over proposed social media laws that could expose major US tech companies to fines of up to $100million
Under the proposed My Feed, My Way initiative, social media platforms would be required to let users opt out of algorithm-driven feeds and choose more of what they see online
Meanwhile, members of the opposition and One Nation have labelled the proposal an overreach, criticising provisions in the draft laws that would give the communications minister power to determine what is classified as harmful content online.
Governments should not have the power to control social media content, Nationals leader Matt Canavan said.
‘People should be able to freely express their views, and any attempt to silence or gag or influence those by governments should be absolutely rejected in a free and open democratic society,’ Senator Canavan told reporters.
Opposition leader, Angus Taylor, says it is an attempt to ‘censor’ the internet.
Albanese rejects this claim, saying ‘it’s about giving people control themselves over what they see’.
How the laws will work?
Under the draft legislation, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok must give users an option of whether they want their default feed to include personalised content recommended by an algorithm or only content from their friends and people they follow. This option will appear as a popup box for people when they use social media.
The draft bill also requires digital service providers to protect all users from seriously harmful material and conduct, including illegal content.
This includes content relating to child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse, grooming, promoting or inciting sexual violence, supporting terrorism, and encouraging criminal offences, illicit drug use and abhorrent violent conduct.
In addition, digital service providers must also protect teenagers and children from addictive features and harmful content.
This includes pornography and content that encourages disordered eating, hostile attitudes towards women and gender equality, dangerous stunts, and harassment or bullying.
Companies must also conduct regular risk assessments which identify ‘all reasonably foreseeable risks’, as well as the content and design features that give rise to those risks.
They must make these assessments available to the eSafety Commissioner within 30 days, if requested.
The draft bill also empowers the commissioner to issue removal notices for ‘nudify’ apps and websites, and streamline the child cyberbullying and adult cyber abuse schemes.
Source: The Conversation
