Australia: Online industry submitted Internet Search Engine Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) to eSafety Commissioner for review

On 28 February 2025, the Internet Search Engine Services Online Safety Code (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) was submitted to the eSafety Commissioner for review under the Online Safety Act 2021. The Code was developed by the Australian online industry, including the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), the Communications Alliance, the Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association (CESA), the Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI) and the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA). It would apply to internet search engine service providers operating in Australia. The Code would require providers to implement age verification mechanisms or default safety settings to reduce children's exposure to online pornography, high-impact violence and self-harm content, as well as parental controls and tools to filter search results. It would also require providers to implement crisis prevention measures, including prominently displaying helpline information and support resources for users searching for content related to suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, in partnership with reputable mental health and crisis organisations. In addition, providers would be required to establish processes for reporting illegal content, handling user complaints, and responding to eSafety delisting notices, as well as regularly reviewing and improving their algorithms and machine learning models to enhance safety measures. Search engine providers would also be required to engage with safety organisations, invest in trust and safety teams, and provide compliance reports to eSafety upon request. The eSafety Commissioner will now assess whether the codes provide sufficient safeguards for the community and, if deemed inadequate, may impose enforceable standards in their place.