Canberra, Nov 24 (IANS) — The Australian government has officially withdrawn its proposed misinformation and disinformation legislation that would have required social media companies to regulate false content on their platforms.
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland announced the decision on Sunday, citing strong opposition in the Senate. The legislation, if enacted, would have granted the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) authority to impose fines on social media platforms that failed to adequately manage misinformation and disinformation.
The bill faced rejection from the opposition Coalition, the Greens, and several independent senators, leaving the Labour Party without the necessary majority to pass the measure.
Rowland's announcement arrives just before the final parliamentary session of 2024. Meanwhile, the government is pushing forward with separate legislation to restrict social media access for under-16s, with a vote expected this week.