Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking support from major technology companies as his government prepares stronger rules for online safety and artificial intelligence. During a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, Albanese said Australia could not protect children from online dangers alone.
Albanese said the government was working to protect children from online harm and would introduce new artificial intelligence standards by the end of the year. He said the government wanted technology to work for Australians rather than the reverse, according to posts and a video published on social media.
Cook said he had shared new controls intended to help keep children safe online. Albanese described Apple and other major technology companies as stepping up as Australia works to strengthen its regulatory framework.
Draft legislation unveiled this month would impose a “duty of care” on companies operating popular platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. The proposal would also allow users to switch off platform algorithms. The laws are expected to be introduced to parliament later this year, following consultations with social media companies, industry groups and civil society organisations.
The opposition Liberal-National Coalition opposes the legislation in its current form, according to a statement cited by Al Jazeera. It said the draft contained insufficient protections for free speech and journalism and gave too much authority to the communications minister.
Australia also introduced a law last year barring children under 16 from social media platforms, in what was described as a world-first effort to address online bullying and risks linked to algorithms. However, data cited by Al Jazeera showed that under-16s continued using applications including Instagram and TikTok despite the ban.