Canberra: Australia is stepping up its controls on social media. The Australian government has proposed new legislation to enhance online safety by mandating social media platforms to offer a "block content recommendations" option, allowing users to only view posts from friends or creators they follow. This initiative forms part of a broader effort to manage online content and ensure user safety.
According to Thai News Agency, this legislative proposal is a continuation of Australia's efforts to regulate social media usage, following the enactment of a pioneering law last year that prohibits children under 16 from using social media. This law was the first of its kind globally and aligns with the European Union's digital governance law. Social media platforms that fail to comply with the new regulations could face significant financial penalties, with fines potentially exceeding 2.5 billion baht. The responsibility for overseeing this legislation falls to eSafety, Australia's internet safety regulator.