Australia has announced plans to impose fines on internet companies of up to 5% of their global revenue if they fail to curtail the spread of misinformation online.
This initiative is part of a global effort to rein in powerful tech giants, but it has raised concerns among advocates for free speech.
The government stated that tech platforms will be required to establish codes of conduct that outline how they will combat the dissemination of harmful false information. These codes will need to be approved by a regulatory body.
If a platform does not comply, the regulator will create its own guidelines and impose penalties for any failures to adhere to these standards.
The proposed legislation, set to be introduced in parliament on Thursday, specifically targets false information that could undermine electoral integrity or public health, incite violence against individuals or groups, or disrupt essential infrastructure and emergency services.
This bill is part of a broader regulatory initiative by the Australian government, which has expressed concerns that foreign tech companies are undermining national sovereignty. This effort comes ahead of a federal election expected to occur within the next year.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has already indicated that it might block professional news content if required to pay licensing fees, while X, formerly known as Twitter, has significantly reduced its content moderation since being acquired by billionaire Elon Musk in 2022.
“Misinformation and disinformation are significant threats to the safety and welfare of Australians, as well as to our democracy, society, and economy,” stated Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. “Ignoring this issue is not an option.”
A draft version of the bill faced backlash in 2023 for granting excessive authority to the Australian Communications and Media Authority regarding the definitions of misinformation and disinformation, which refers to the intentional spreading of falsehoods.
Rowland clarified that the updated bill would limit the media regulator’s powers, ensuring it cannot force the removal of individual pieces of content or user accounts. The revised legislation would also protect professional news, artistic, and religious content, but not government-approved material.
Citing the Australian Media Literacy Alliance, Rowland noted that approximately 80% of Australians support measures to tackle the spread of misinformation.
Meta, which boasts nearly 90% of Australians as Facebook users, declined to comment on the new proposals. The industry group DIGI, of which Meta is a member, stated that the new rules bolster an anti-misinformation code it last updated in 2022, but many questions still remain.
X was not available for immediate comment.
James Paterson, the opposition’s home affairs spokesman, acknowledged that he had yet to delve into the revised bill but expressed concern that “Australians’ valid political beliefs should not be silenced by the government or foreign social media platforms.”
The Australian Communications and Media Authority expressed its support for the legislation, which would formally empower it to address misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms.