Australia: Announced legislation to combat harmful disinformation and misinformation online

On 21 March 2022, the Autralian Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts announced new legislation to combat harmful disinformation and misinformation online. The new legislation will expand the powers of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in order to hold large digital platforms accountable for harmful content. The ACMA will be given expanded data-gathering powers to encourage platform openness and to increase access to Australia-specific data on the effectiveness of measures against disinformation and misinformation. Furthermore, the ACMA will be given reserve powers to enforce industry rules and establish market standards. Finally, a Misinformation and Disinformation Action Group, composed of public and private stakeholders, will be constituted.