Albanese government advances digital bill banning AI emotional intimacy with children
The bill passed the lower house on Wednesday and moves to the Senate, where a debate over an external complaints mechanism for tech users is emerging.
By Giulia Marshall ·
The Australian federal government has advanced legislation that would prohibit AI chatbots from simulating emotional intimacy with children, a measure Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as a necessary response to children identifying these agents as their best friends.
The digital duty of care bill passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday. It now moves to the Senate for debate in the coming weeks. The government aims to secure final passage by the end of 2026, though the outcome in the upper house remains uncertain.
The framework establishes new online safety standards for social media, games, apps, and chatbots. It replaces existing codes with a duty-of-care requirement to protect users from harmful content. Platforms will also be required to offer an opt-out feature for algorithmic content suggestions.
On Wednesday, the government accepted amendments from crossbencher Kate Chaney. These changes add AI chatbot activity to the list of harms. Platforms must ban material or conduct that simulates emotional intimacy and encourages a child's dependence on it in place of human relationships.
Opposition parties voted against the bill in the lower house, alongside One Nation. Critics have labeled the proposed system Orwellian and a form of censorship. Communications Minister Anika Wells rejected these claims, stating that opponents should propose amendments rather than use slogans to kill the bill.
Pressure is mounting to empower the telecommunications ombudsman to act as a watchdog for social media and AI. Independent MP Sophie Scamps proposed this change to create an external complaints mechanism for users. Labor did not accept the amendment in the lower house, but the Greens intend to push for it during Senate negotiations.
Cynthia Gebert, the telecommunications industry ombudsman, said her office is well placed to handle such a role. She noted that expanding the remit could be financed by the tech industry. She warned that without an external pathway, users may remain stuck in automated escalation procedures that do not lead to resolution.
