Anthony Albanese has backed the case for new laws to give Australians the ability to block algorithms on social media, as Labor shies away from a ban on AI glasses that covertly film unsuspecting victims. Source: The Age.
Days after the Prime Minister flagged an expansion of Labor’s online safety agenda, he said his government was “considering the best and most practical options to protect people”.
“In response to community concern about the impact of algorithms, we are considering options to ensure people have greater control over what they receive on their devices,” he said yesterday.
Mr Albanese’s comments come a day after Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek floated a proposal to give users the ability to opt in or out of using algorithms, which curate content based on users’ online activity. She claimed algorithms were “playing a huge role” in fostering sexual violence and extremism among young people.
The government is more likely to pursue an opt-out feature among changes that will be put forward in Labor’s digital duty of care laws in October. As it shifts from spruiking its controversial budget, the government is keen to put a spotlight on tech regulation.
The moves risk a bust-up with the United States, which looks dimly upon impositions on tech outfits close to the Trump Administration.
It may also irk voters concerned about government overreach, but Labor believes families have become so concerned about online safety that their tough measures will be backed ahead of a UN trip in which Mr Albanese will talk up Australia’s tech policies.
Labor yesterday announced consultation on the government’s plan to modernise Australia’s privacy protections.
But Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said a ban on controversial AI glasses was not being considered, even as Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind said all options should be on the table to manage the rollout of the increasingly accessible surveillance devices.
Labor’s proposed changes include a new “fair and reasonable test” to stop tech giants from harvesting more data than they need, and a “right to erasure” that would allow consumers to request platforms destroy their personal data.
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Albanese attacks algorithm but no ban for ‘pervert glasses’ in privacy overhaul (By Brittany Busch and Paul Sakkal, The Age)
