Australia Abandons Plan to Fine Social Media Giants for Spreading Misinformation
Australia abandons plan to fine internet platforms for spreading misinformation. Communications Minister cites difficulties in passing the bill through the Senate. Industry body DIGI, including Meta, had previously supported measures to combat misinformation.
Australia's government recently announced the abandonment of a proposed bill that aimed to impose fines of up to 5% of global revenue on internet platforms for failing to curb the dissemination of misinformation online. The decision to drop the bill was revealed by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, who cited challenges in passing the legislation through the Senate.
The bill was part of a broader regulatory crackdown in Australia, with concerns raised about foreign tech platforms undermining the country's sovereignty. The move comes amidst preparations for an upcoming federal election within the next year.
Minister Rowland highlighted that the bill aimed to enhance transparency and hold major tech companies accountable for their efforts to prevent the spread of harmful misinformation and disinformation online. She emphasised the importance of addressing the public's concerns, with around four-fifths of Australians expressing a desire to tackle misinformation.
Despite the government's intentions, the legislation faced opposition from various quarters, including the Liberal-National coalition, the Australian Greens, and crossbench senators. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticised the bill, labelling it a "half-baked option" during a televised interview.
Industry body DIGI, which includes Meta as a member, had previously stated that the proposed regime reinforced existing measures to combat misinformation. The decision to abandon the bill reflects the challenges in navigating regulatory frameworks concerning misinformation on digital platforms.
Australia abandons plan to fine internet platforms for spreading misinformation
Communications Minister cites difficulties in passing the bill through the Senate
Industry body DIGI, including Meta, had previously supported measures to combat misinformation
Source: REUTERS
