Australia's digital duty of care bill passes lower house with AI chatbot ban
Australia's digital duty of care bill passed the House of Representatives with amendments banning AI chatbot material simulating emotional intimacy and requiring accessible algorithm opt-outs.
The story in focus
Australia's digital duty of care bill passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, The Guardian reports. Accepted amendments add a ban on AI chatbot material that simulates emotional intimacy and fosters a child's dependence on it over human relationships, and require accessible algorithm opt-outs. The bill now faces an uncertain Senate path.
- The bill passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday and will be debated in the Senate in coming weeks.
- The government accepted an amendment from crossbencher Kate Chaney adding certain AI chatbot activity to the list of harms.
- A second accepted Chaney amendment requires algorithm opt-out features to be accessible, easy to use and prominently available.
- The Greens support the bill and have set up an inquiry due to report in late November; the Coalition has said it will not vote for it.
- The government hopes to pass the bill by the end of 2026, but its path through the upper house remains unclear.
What the bill would do
The framework would apply new online safety standards to social media, games, apps and chatbots. The government says it would place an overarching obligation on platforms to provide a safe online environment for all Australians, replacing a range of existing codes and standards with a broader duty-of-care requirement.
The communications minister, Anika Wells, has suggested content promoting misogyny, terrorism, suicide, self-harm and eating disorders would be captured by the laws. Platforms would also have to offer an opt-out from algorithms and suggested content.
Chatbot amendment
The government accepted amendments from crossbencher Kate Chaney adding certain AI chatbot activity to the list of harms. Platforms would be required to ban material or conduct that simulates emotional intimacy and encourages or fosters a child's dependence on it in place of human relationships.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a speech that children identifying a chatbot as their best friend should be a wake-up call for parliament.
Senate and watchdog pressure
The bill now moves to the Senate, where the Greens have set up an inquiry due to report in late November. The Greens want the right to pursue private legal action against platforms and higher penalties.
Independent MP Sophie Scamps proposed expanding the telecommunications industry ombudsman into a watchdog for big tech. Labor did not accept the amendment in the lower house, and the Greens will push the reform in Senate negotiations. Ombudsman Cynthia Gebert said her office would be well placed to carry out such a role and that it could be funded by big tech.
What happens next with Australia's digital duty of care bill?
It moves to the Senate, which will debate it in coming weeks amid an inquiry by the Greens due to report in late November. The government hopes to pass it by the end of 2026, but its Senate path remains unclear.
Sources & further reading
- ‘Emotional intimacy’ from AI chatbots would be banned under Australia’s digital duty of care laws ↗The Guardian
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