Australia to Fine Tech Companies That Platform 'Disinformation'

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Facts

  • Australia is expected to pass a law that would fine tech companies up to 5% of their global revenue if they don't block misinformation and disinformation from spreading on their social media platforms.[1]
  • According to the head of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Michelle Rowland, content will be labeled mis- or disinformation only if it's 'seriously harmful and verifiably false.'[2]
  • According to the agency's website, the law won't give the ACMA powers to delete social media posts directly, but rather force tech platforms to 'increase their transparency with Australian users about how they handle misinformation and disinformation.'[3]
  • This bill is a re-drafting of a law proposed last year that was scrapped over concerns of overreach and free speech violations. That law also had exceptions for both government and politically-authorized content — provisions that have since been taken out.[2][4]
  • The new law will also exclude 'reasonable' material for 'any academic, artistic, scientific or religious purpose.'[5]
  • This comes as the Labor government is also pushing social media age requirements, as well as laws against posting people's personal information online, known as doxing, with penalties of up to six years in prison — and up to seven if it's intentionally targeting protected groups.[6]

Sources: [1]Reuters, [2]Abc, [3]Infrastructure, [4]Semafor, [5]Skynews and [6]Guardian.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Latrobe. The ACMA understands the delicate relationship between upholding free speech and tackling dangerous content. This why the tech companies, not the government, will be tasked with building their own content moderation systems, and why only verifiably false and harmful information about topics such as public health will be under its scope.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Skynews. Australia has become so authoritarian that even establishment-friendly newspapers and political groups have come out against this bill. Neither the government nor tech companies can be trusted to define the truth, as mis- and disinformation have become buzzwords for wannabe tyrants to use against speech they don't like. Thankfully, the majority of Australians are becoming aware of this.

Predictions