Labor seeks public help on tighter rules for big tech

Labor is seeking public views on its digital duty of care as it seeks to force big tech to tighten online security.

The Albanian government launched a survey on Friday asking Australians what steps companies should take to make the digital world more secure.

Responses by December 7 will inform new laws it has promised to introduce, aimed at pushing platforms to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to security.

“The digital duty of care will force the online industry to take stronger action to keep users safe when they log in, rather than the reactive system that currently exists,” Communications Minister Anika Wells said in a statement.

“The introduction of a digital duty of care was a key recommendation of the Online Safety Act review and is another way the Albanian government is taking action to ensure a safer online environment for Australians.

“Australia leads the world in online security and we encourage everyone to have their say on the new digital duty of care so Australia will lead the world too.”

Rising radicalization rates, the proliferation of exploitative material and predatory cybercriminals have left governments around the world scrambling to install digital guardrails that protect generations who have only known a world with constant internet access.

Australia is among a handful of Western countries implementing or investigating digital duty of care laws amid a rise in online harms, joining the UK and EU members.

But not everyone supports this; Free speech advocates warn that laws can control speech and stifle debate.

The tech companies behind social media networks have also downplayed responsibility for what users put on their platforms, saying they are neutral actors.

The latest move comes less than a month after a social media ban on those under 16 came into force.

Similarly, it puts the onus on the platforms to keep children out.

If they fail to do so, they could be fined up to $49.5 million.