Australian officials are preparing to introduce legislation that will impose fines on social media companies that fail to remove disinformation and misinformation from their platforms. According to a report from The Sydney Morning Herald, the draft legislation will grant new powers to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to hold digital platforms accountable for spreading fake news.
Under the proposed legislation, the ACMA will have the ability to impose a “code” on specific companies that repeatedly fail to combat the spread of false information. The maximum penalties for systemic breaches of a registered code will be $2.75 million, while breaching an industry standard will incur a maximum penalty of $6.88 million.
Additionally, the ACMA will be allowed to obtain information and documents from digital platforms pertaining to misinformation and disinformation, although it will not have a role in determining the veracity of the content.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized the importance of combating mis- and disinformation, stating that it undermines trust, sows division within the community, and can even threaten public health and safety. The legislation aims to strike a balance between protecting against harmful misinformation online and preserving freedom of speech.
Similar laws have been enacted by the European Union (EU) targeting social media companies. The proposed legislation is currently open for public consultation, and the bill is expected to be introduced into parliament later this year.
In summary, Australian officials are taking proactive measures to address the spread of false information on social media platforms, with proposed legislation that includes fines for non-compliance. By empowering the ACMA, the government aims to hold digital platforms accountable for their role in spreading fake news while ensuring the protection of freedom of speech. These efforts align with similar actions taken by the European Union.
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