The bill, which now goes to the Senate, would require platforms to guard against chatbots that foster a child's dependence in place of human relationships, according to The Guardian.
Australia's House of Representatives passed the government's digital duty of care bill on 28 October, The Guardian reports, sending it to the Senate for debate in the coming weeks. The planned framework would apply new online safety standards to social media, games, apps and chatbots, placing what the government calls an overarching obligation on technology platforms to provide a safe online environment. It would replace a range of existing online codes and standards and require social media services to offer an opt-out from algorithmic and suggested content. The government hopes to pass the legislation by the end of 2026.
The government accepted amendments from crossbench MP Kate Chaney that add certain chatbot behaviour to the list of harms, requiring platforms to ban material or conduct that simulates emotional intimacy and encourages or fosters a child's dependence on it in place of human relationships. A second accepted amendment says the algorithm opt-out must be accessible, easy to use and prominently available. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who urged the opposition to back the bill in a speech the previous evening, said stories of people treating a chatbot as their best friend should be a wake-up call for parliament.
The bill's path through the Senate is unclear. The Greens support it and have set up an inquiry due to report in late November, while the Coalition and One Nation voted against it in the House. Opponents have called the system Orwellian censorship, which Communications Minister Anika Wells strongly denied, inviting them to bring amendments instead. Crossbenchers and the telecommunications industry ombudsman have urged an external complaints pathway for users, an idea the government has not endorsed. The bill remains a proposal and its final shape could change in the Senate.
