Policy
Australia advances digital duty-of-care bill targeting chatbot dependence
Australia’s House of Representatives passed a digital duty-of-care bill that would impose broader safety obligations on social media, games, apps, and chatbots. An accepted amendment would require platforms to address chatbot conduct that simulates emotional intimacy and encourages children’s dependence on AI instead of human relationships. The bill also proposes prominent algorithm opt-outs, while lawmakers debate stronger penalties and an external complaints mechanism. The Senate will examine the measure, but its passage remains uncertain because the opposition rejects the bill.
Editorial summary · Publisher article
What matters
- The bill would replace several online-safety codes with a broader platform duty of care.
- The House accepted an amendment covering chatbot behavior that fosters children’s dependence on simulated relationships.
- Greens lawmakers want private legal action, higher penalties, and an external complaints pathway for users.
Context & caveats
- The bill’s final form and passage through the Senate remain unresolved.
Why this made the edition
Substantive reporting explains Australia’s proposed digital duty of care, the House vote, chatbot provisions, political opposition, and the unresolved Senate path.
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