Australia is set to impose fines of up to 5% of global revenue on internet platforms that fail to curb misinformation. The new legislation, which will be introduced in parliament on Thursday, requires tech companies to adhere to codes of conduct for managing dangerous falsehoods. If platforms do not comply, a regulator will establish its own standards and levy fines.
The bill targets misinformation that threatens election integrity, public health, incites violence, or disrupts critical infrastructure. This move is part of Australia’s broader regulatory push against global tech giants and comes ahead of a federal election within the year.
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The Australian Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland, emphasized the need for action against misinformation, citing its threat to safety, democracy, and the economy. The new version of the bill clarifies that the media regulator cannot remove individual content or user accounts, protecting professional news, artistic, and religious content from censorship.
Meta and X (formerly Twitter) have expressed concerns about these regulations. Meta, which has a significant user base in Australia, may block professional news content if required to pay royalties. X has reduced content moderation since Elon Musk’s acquisition in 2022.
Opposition figures have raised concerns about potential censorship of political beliefs. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has welcomed the bill as a step toward formal regulation of misinformation on digital platforms.
