Censorship Fear Forces Labor to Mull Digital Law Change

Labor has left the door open to changing its planned digital duty of care laws to overcome opposition to the contentious measures. Under the proposed bill, social media companies would be forced to identify and prevent potentially harmful content being shown to users who are younger than 18. The barred material would include content encouraging disordered eating, as well as pornography, violence against women, bullying and life-endangering stunts.

Censorship Fear Forces Labor to Mull Digital Law Change

TL;DR

  • Labor may change its planned digital duty of care laws.
  • The proposed laws aim to protect users under 18 from harmful content on social media.
  • Harmful content includes pornography, violence against women, bullying, disordered eating content, and dangerous stunts.
  • The opposition fears the laws could lead to political censorship.
  • Labor is considering empowering parliament to define harmful material to pass the laws.