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

On 13 December 2024, the eSafety Commissioner extended the deadline for the online industry to submit final drafts of enforceable codes from 19 December 2024 to 28 February 2025. These codes aim to shield children from exposure to graphic pornography and other harmful content, including material related to suicide, serious illness, self-harm, and disordered eating. 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.