Source : Perth Now news
Angus Taylor has signalled the Coalition will not back highly anticipated measures further cracking down on social media giants, saying he is “deeply sceptical” of what has been floated and fears the changes could “censor” free speech.
The Albanese government is expected to put out draft legislation for a digital duty of care for social media when parliament returns next week.
It reportedly includes an opt-in function for algorithms to give users more control over what their feeds show rather than what platforms push, which is often emotionally charged to keep people scrolling longer.
It would also give the online safety watchdog more powers and slap companies with $100m for breaching rules.
The Opposition Leader said on Sunday he had not “seen this legislation” but that “everyone’s very disappointed” with the social media ban for under 16s, calling the number of teens taken off platforms “immaterial”.
He said Labor should focus on plugging holes in the ban first.
“What we want to see is parents having more control over what their kids get to see on social media,” he told News24.
“I’m deeply sceptical. I fear that this is just going to be an attempt by the government to censor social media.
“But as I say we haven’t seen it – there’s lots of talk about it and … let’s see what the government comes forward with.”
Anthony Albanese is expected to spruik the digital duty of care at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.
He did the same with the social media ban last year and several countries, including France and Indonesia, are now also pursuing similar bans.
The focus on algorithms comes amid warnings they are driving boys and young men to the manosphere – a network of online communities centred on masculinity that espouses misogynistic views.
Also speaking to News24, Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite was tight-lipped on the impending policy but said “platforms have a responsibility to try and keep young Australian kids safe”.
“We know that young people are being exposed to violent material, misogynistic material online … and we think that that’s a problem,” he said.
“And we’re not afraid to take action against these platforms.”
Mr Thistlethwaite dismissed Mr Taylor’s concern about censorship, saying that “young Australians shouldn’t be exposed to violent behaviour that results in disrespect for women”.
He also dismissed Nationals leader Matt Canavan’s comments this week claiming that a program aimed at teaching respectful relationships was pushing boys toward the manosphere.
“It’s not woke to teach respect for women in our education system,” Mr Thistlethwaite said.
