Australia's digital duty of care law sparks anonymity and ID‑verification concerns

The Albanese government has released a consultation paper on a Digital Duty of Care that would overhaul Australia’s online safety laws. The proposal would shift responsibility for preventing harms from individual complaints to platform‑wide preventative measures, expand the ban on under‑16s using social media, and double penalties for breaches to $99 million. Communications Minister Anika Wells said users will not be forced to present government ID, insisting the law requires platforms to offer reasonable alternatives. Privacy and free‑speech groups warn the measures could pressure platforms to verify users’ identities, effectively ending anonymous accounts and endangering survivors of domestic violence, whistleblowers and LGBTIQ+ Australians who rely on anonymity. Critics also note the broad language around “seriously harmful threats to public safety” could be used to expand censorship.

The debate reflects broader concerns about a potential digital ID system and the balance between online safety and freedom of expression in Australia.