Australia’s home affairs department wants to have more oversight over Social Media algorithms, to help combat online abuse.
Representatives from the department – responsible for cyber security and social cohesion – will front a parliamentary inquiry into online safety on Tuesday.
The inquiry is part of the federal government’s proposal to introduce laws that would force social media platforms to take down offending posts and, in some circumstances, reveal the identity of anonymous posters.
Tuesday inquiry is part of the federal government’s proposal to introduce laws that would force social media platforms to take down offending posts and, in some circumstances, reveal the identity of anonymous posters (stock image)
In its submission to the committee, the department referenced former Facebook employee Frances Haugen who told the United States Senate last year digital platforms are – sometimes knowingly – promoting harmful and divisive content through algorithms and prioritising company growth over public safety.
‘The department has significant concerns about the far-reaching consequences that persuasive design and algorithms have for both individual users and social cohesion more broadly,’ the submission said.
Home affairs is in the process of developing regulations and will look at how other jurisdictions manage this issue.
This includes improving the transparency and oversight of how tech companies use algorithms and compelling them to disclose internal data.
In January, employees from Meta – the company behind Facebook – told the committee safety was at the core of the business.
Policy head Mia Garlick said any reports Facebook put profits above the safety of their users were ‘categorically untrue’.
The committee, which will also hear evidence from the AFL, is due to present a final report to parliament by mid-February.
In January, employees from Meta – the company behind Facebook – told the committee safety was at the core of the business (stock image)
