Will the Australian Government Restrict Access to Abusive Technologies?

Canberra, Sep 2 (NationPress) The Australian government declared on Tuesday its intention to impose restrictions on abusive technologies, particularly those involving artificial intelligence (AI) capable of creating sexually explicit images.

Anika Wells, the Minister for Communications, emphasized that the government will collaborate closely with the tech industry to limit access to undetectable online stalking tools and AI applications that produce sexually explicit deepfake content, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

"AI and legitimate tracking technology have their rightful place in Australia, but there is absolutely no room for applications and technologies that are solely created to abuse, humiliate, and harm individuals, particularly our children," Wells stated.

"This matter is too crucial for us to ignore. Abusive technologies are alarmingly accessible and are inflicting genuine, irreparable damage at present."

Wells mentioned that the enforcement of these new regulations would complement existing laws that outlaw stalking and the non-consensual dissemination of sexually explicit materials.

Similar to Australia’s upcoming ban preventing children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, effective in December, the new regulations will shift the responsibility of curbing access to these abusive tools onto technology companies.

Julie Inman Grant, the federal government's eSafety Commissioner, reported in June that incidents involving digitally altered intimate images of individuals under 18 had doubled in the past 18 months compared to the previous seven years.

In July, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that YouTube will now be included in the world-first social media ban for children under 16, initially exempting the platform.

Albanese and Wells announced at a press conference in Canberra that the federal government had accepted a recommendation from the eSafety Commissioner to incorporate YouTube into the social media prohibition.

YouTube was initially given an exemption due to its educational and health-focused content, but the eSafety Commissioner advised the government in June that the platform exposes children to harmful material.

Albanese asserted that the government is ready to "take action" against social media platforms that contribute to societal harm. "We acknowledge that this is not the sole solution, and more work is required. However, it will indeed make a difference," he stated.

Wells highlighted that including YouTube in the ban was about prioritizing "parents over platforms."