Australia regulator rejects warning of internet safety bill chilling free speech

The Australian government's proposed online safety law, aimed at forcing internet companies to proactively check and stop potential user harms, has faced criticism from tech giants and free speech advocates. The Digital Duty of Care legislation would impose fines of up to A$109 million ($75 million) on companies that fail to comply.

However, the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, stated that there is no evidence companies are over-censoring and that the legislation, once passed by the Senate, could be implemented by year-end.