Overview
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Apple Executive Chair Tim Cook at Apple Park on Sept 19 to seek support for Australia's child online safety measures and broader tech regulation.
- Cook told Albanese he regards Australia’s social media curbs as “world‑leading” and Apple said it shared “strong and intuitive controls” to help keep children safe online.
- Canberra released a draft 'duty of care' law in early September that would require platforms to limit named harms and offer users aged 16 and over a clear option to turn off personalised recommendation algorithms.
- Officials face practical enforcement challenges because August data showed many under‑16s continue to access apps like Instagram and TikTok, experts warn age checks, default settings and technical definitions will determine real‑world effectiveness.
- The draft bill is under consultation and politically contested with opposition parties raising free‑speech and oversight concerns while the government plans to introduce the legislation to Parliament later in 2026 and publish AI standards by year‑end.