The Australian government has officially withdrawn its proposed legislation aimed at combating misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced on Sunday that the initiative will not move forward due to significant opposition in the Senate.
If enacted, the legislation would have empowered the Australian Communications and Media Authority to impose fines on social media companies that failed to effectively monitor and regulate false information across their networks. However, the opposition coalition, the Greens, and several independent senators opposed the bill, leaving the governing Labor Party without the necessary majority to pass it.
Rowland's decision comes ahead of the final parliamentary sitting week of 2024. In a swift move, the government is accelerating another piece of legislation: a world-first plan to ban individuals under the age of 16 from using social media. This new bill is expected to be passed by parliament later this week, marking a significant shift in Australia's approach to digital regulation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
