Sharon Claydon Leads Push for Tougher Social Media Rules as Australia Stands Firm Against Big Tech

19 November 2024

Sharon Claydon Leads Push for Tougher Social Media Rules as Australia Stands Firm Against Big Tech Newy Staff

Sharon Claydon, the Federal Member for Newcastle and Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society, has delivered a defining moment in Australia’s tech policy landscape. Presenting the committee’s final report at Parliament House on Tuesday, 19 November 2024, Claydon outlined a vision for a safer and more accountable digital space, putting global tech giants like Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) firmly on notice.

The report culminates a multi-phase investigation into the profound effects of social media on Australian society, following Meta’s controversial decision to withdraw financial agreements with Australian media outlets. This action disrupted the nation’s media landscape, leaving local outlets unable to monetise their content shared on major platforms. The final report builds on earlier findings, expanding the focus to broader societal impacts and the urgent need for reform.

At the heart of the committee’s recommendations is a clear demand: social media companies must comply with Australian laws. This includes adhering to stricter online safety standards and taking proactive measures to protect users, particularly children. The report stresses the need for enforceability, ensuring that these laws have teeth and can hold tech giants accountable.

Claydon noted the sheer scale of social media use in Australia, with 81% of the population regularly engaging with platforms. With usage rates expected to rise, she highlighted the urgency of creating safeguards to protect Australian users from harm. Central to these protections are recommendations to empower users with greater control over the algorithms that determine what content they see. This includes giving individuals the ability to adjust, reset, or turn off personalised recommendations entirely.

One of the most notable proposals involves restricting access to social media for users under 16. While this trial is still in development, it reflects the government’s broader commitment to shielding young Australians from online risks. Claydon highlighted the importance of involving young people in designing new regulatory frameworks, ensuring policies are both effective and reflective of their lived experiences.

The report also delves into the exploitation of personal data, describing how users, particularly those unaware of data harvesting practices, often become the “product” in social media’s business models. The committee has called for stronger privacy protections to counter this and to limit the commercialisation of user information without explicit consent.

A recurring theme in the report is the notion of a “social license” for tech companies. Claydon stressed that no business, regardless of size, should be exempt from the ethical and legal expectations of operating in Australia. The report calls on big tech to adopt more transparent and ethical practices, aligning their operations with Australian values and laws.

In her address, Claydon also acknowledged the government’s recent advances, such as introducing a statutory duty of care for social media companies. This aligns with the report’s recommendation to increase digital competency and literacy across all age groups, with a focus on vulnerable communities.

The federal government is reviewing the report’s recommendations, and public interest is expected to be high. Australians have increasingly demanded greater accountability from social media platforms, particularly in light of high-profile incidents involving harmful content and misinformation. The proposed measures signal a significant step forward in addressing these concerns, potentially setting a global precedent for tech regulation.

As Sharon Claydon stated, “Big tech must rethink their business models and prioritise the safety of Australian users. Social media is here to stay, but it must operate within a framework that safeguards its users, not exploits them.”