Australia: Opened consultation on Statutory Review of the Online Safety Act 2021

On 29 April 2024, the Australian Government opened a public consultation as part of a statutory review of the Online Safety Act 2021, open until 21 June 2024. The review aims to evaluate the Online Safety Act's effectiveness and considers whether it is necessary to extend the eSafety Commissioner's enforcement powers. Specific issues which are part of the review involve considering the adequacy of current regulations in protecting Australian citizens from online harms, including hate speech, image-based abuse, the challenges posed by emerging technologies such as deepfakes and algorithm-driven content, and the effectiveness of the existing sanctions regime. Potential enhancements to the regulatory framework include the introduction of new penalties and duties of care for digital platforms to safeguard users, especially children. The consultation encourages submissions on five key areas, including Australia’s regulatory approach, penalties, and international best practices.