Australia proposes global Digital Duty of Care for tech platforms

Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells is spearheading an international effort to establish a ‘Digital Duty of Care’ model, aiming to hold technology platforms, apps, and AI chatbots legally responsible for online harms. The proposal, introduced via the Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026, shifts the regulatory focus from case-by-case management to a proactive risk management approach. This would require providers to design environments that prevent harmful content from appearing in the first place.

A key component of the legislation is the ‘my feed, my way’ provision, which would require platforms to allow users to opt out of algorithm-controlled feeds in favor of content based solely on user choice. Wells is currently engaging with counterparts in Malaysia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Canada, and Sweden to build a global coalition, arguing that national regulations alone are insufficient to regulate the world’s most powerful companies.

Critics and international observers have raised concerns regarding potential censorship. While Wells maintains the bill focuses on platform responsibility rather than controlling individual speech, some warn it could lead to over-censorship to avoid heavy fines. Additionally, the proposal has faced criticism from the United States, where some officials have characterized the regime as a threat to online free speech, potentially creating diplomatic friction.