Australia Targets Social Media Giants with Tough New Safety Laws
What Happened
Australia has unveiled draft laws requiring social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to meet a “duty of care” to protect young users from harmful content, including pornography, bullying, content glorifying crime and eating disorders. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to A$109 million (US$78 million).
Key Takeaways
The proposed rules would also allow users to opt out of algorithm-driven feeds, giving them more control over what content they see. The move marks one of Australia’s strongest efforts yet to rein in big tech and strengthen online safety, especially for children.