What happened
Australia's government has pushed a Digital Duty of Care bill through the House of Representatives that would ban AI chatbots designed to create "emotional intimacy" with users. The bill passed on October 28 and will be debated in the Senate in the coming weeks.
Broad scope
The rules go beyond chatbots, covering social media, games and apps with the aim of providing a safer online environment for Australians. Communications Minister Anika Wells said content encouraging misogyny, terrorism, suicide, self-harm and eating disorders is also in scope. Platforms would also be required to offer an easy-to-access opt-out for algorithm-driven suggested content.
Political picture
In an October 27 speech, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people describing a chatbot as their best friend should be a wake-up call for parliament to act. The Greens back the proposal, while the Coalition and One Nation oppose it, calling it an "Orwellian" censorship system. Labor says it remains open to amendments.
Similar moves elsewhere
Australia is not the first to act. A few months earlier, China's Cyberspace Administration and four other departments introduced rules banning AI-generated romantic companions. Companion chatbots from companies such as ByteDance, Tencent and Alibaba were forced into evaluation before returning to public availability.
