The Digital Duty of Care Bill has passed the House of Representatives. It will now go to a Senate inquiry with hearings to be held on the 9th and 10th of November.
Greens spokesperson for communications, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
"Last week's horrific attack on Helen Haines shows why a strong Digital Duty of Care that actually works is more urgent than ever. Big Tech has turned hatred and division into a business model, cashing in while our communities pay the price.
"Australians young and old are sick of having our lives controlled by big tech. Social media companies have lost their social licence and the Australians want them held to account for the harm they cause in the community.
"This legislation will now go before an inquiry, where I will kick the tyres and hold Big Tech's feet to the fire to ensure these laws have teeth, and put the safety of Australians ahead of corporate profits.
"The Greens will be fighting for this legislation to protect Australians and their children. That means giving people harmed online the right to seek compensation, tackling the toxic, addictive algorithms, and imposing fines tied to global revenue.
"We know these companies only respond to one thing: penalties that hit them where it hurts.
"Just yesterday the eSafety Commissioner added her voice to the chorus calling for a private right to action, so Australians have a pathway for compensation when they are harmed online.
"Australians also need an external complaints pathway, free from the profit driven whims of Big Tech's content moderation. This would put the safety of users and basic human decency ahead of Big Tech's bottom line.
"The Greens will work to ensure all Australians are safe online, and have the freedom to choose what they see on their feeds.
"Big Tech cannot be allowed to keep raking in billions while fuelling fear, hatred and division in our society. They have a responsibility to not harm their customers, and it's high time they put people before profits.
