Australia scraps law to force social media companies to combat misinformation

MADRID 24 Nov. () –

The Australian Government, led by the Labor Party, this Sunday discarded a bill that forced social media companies to take measures to combat disinformation due to lack of support in the Senate.

“It is clear that there is no way to legislate this proposal in the Senate,” said Communications Minister Michelle Rowland in a statement, urging parliamentarians to work on other proposals to “strengthen democratic institutions.”

Rowland recalled that misinformation is a “threat” that is constantly “evolving”, so “no action alone is a perfect solution.” “But we must continue to improve to ensure that digital platforms offer greater protections to Australians,” he added.

The measure would have allowed the Australian Communications and Media Authority, an agency dependent on the Government, to supervise social networks amid numerous criticisms from civil organizations, who allude to the fact that the law could harm the right to freedom of expression, as reported by the ABC network.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has also proposed a measure to ban those under 16 from accessing social media. The law would affect platforms such as TikTok, Instagram or X, among others.