This set of rules – known as the Basic Online Safety Expectations (BOSE) Determination – will be expanded to ensure children’s best interests is a “primary consideration” for tech firms,which will be forced to act against harmful material created by generative AI,detect hate speech,and publish regular reports on how it is helping keep users safe.
The limited scope of the fines means the new penalties are largely symbolic,but could damage the reputations of the multinational social media empires if they are found to breach duty of care.
Rowland will tell the National Press Club that Delia Rickard,a former deputy chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission,will review online safety legislation with the aim of sending a clear message to big tech firms about the government’s minimum standards.
Current laws provide protections for individuals,but there is no mechanism to address abuse directed at certain communities based on their religion or ethnicity,according to Rowland.
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“There is deep concern across the community about the way hateful language spreads online and its impact on social cohesion – recent reporting about the rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric on X makes this clear,” Rowland will say,according to a draft version of her speech.
“Australia needs our legislative framework to be strong,but also flexible enough to respond to an ever-evolving space.”