Australia has dropped its controversial plan to impose hefty fines on social media platforms for failing to combat misinformation. The proposed legislation, spearheaded by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, faced stiff opposition in the Senate, leaving no path for its passage.
Rowland highlighted that the bill aimed to enhance transparency and accountability among tech giants in curbing harmful misinformation. However, despite significant public support—evidenced by a claim that 80% of Australians demand stricter misinformation controls—the political landscape turned unfavorable. Both the conservative opposition coalition, the Australian Greens, and independent senators rejected the proposal.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called the bill “half-baked,” expressing concerns over its effectiveness. The proposed fines, amounting to 5% of a company’s global revenue, were seen as excessive by industry representatives, including DIGI, an organization that counts Meta among its members. DIGI argued that existing self-regulation mechanisms, like the voluntary anti-misinformation code, are already robust.
The setback comes at a critical time for Australia’s Labor government, which trails in polls ahead of an impending federal election. Critics within the government and industry stress the need for a balanced approach that respects free speech while addressing digital misinformation challenges.
Credit: This article is based on information from Reuters, Sky News, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Key Highlights:
- Australia’s government has abandoned a proposed bill to fine internet giants for failing to prevent misinformation, citing lack of Senate support.
- The bill aimed to enforce transparency, holding tech companies accountable for harmful content online, but faced opposition from major political factions.
- Industry bodies like DIGI, representing Meta and others, argued existing measures sufficiently address misinformation concerns.