Australia: Issued eSafety Commissioner request to online industry to develop codes that protect children from harmful content

On 2 July 2024, the eSafety Commissioner gave the online industry six months to create enforceable codes to protect children from graphic pornography and other harmful content. These codes will prevent young children from encountering inappropriate material and empower Australian internet users to manage their exposure. While focusing on pornography, the codes will also address content related to suicide, serious illness, self-harm, and disordered eating. Measures could include age verification, default safety settings, parental controls, and tools to filter or blur unwanted content. Protection will span connected devices, app stores, messaging services, social media, and search engines. The industry bodies must submit a draft of the codes by 3 October 2024 and the final versions by 19 December 2024.