Policy and research organisation Reset.Tech Australia will appear at the Joint Select Committee on Social Media today, arguing that tougher laws are needed for social media companies.
Reset.Tech Australia specialises in digital risks and online harm, particularly as it relates to social media.
Reset.Tech Australia Executive Director, Alice Dawkins, said she will make three key points at the inquiry: “Firstly, only hard laws can achieve accountability for digital platforms,” Ms Dawkins said.
“No other sector with such a clear focus on consumer-facing engagement gets away with releasing products with non-transparent internal testing, and non-existent regulatory obligations.
“Secondly, the government needs to shift the burden onto social media companies to make their platforms safe. These companies know the harms that exist, but they also know how to manufacture their surprise when the issues are aired publicly.
“Thirdly, our failed experiment with industry-led regulation has lured us into protracted regulatory capture. We cannot continue to allow the industry to set the bar so low for itself. We must do better.”
Ms Dawkins will appear alongside her colleague, Director Policy and Research, Rys Farthing, at 9am on Wednesday 10 July 2024.
To read a copy of Reset.Tech Australia’s submission, please visit the Committee website here.
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Media contact: Alice Dawkins | 0437 422 335
About Reset.Tech Australia
Reset.Tech Australia is an Australian research and policy organisation. We specialise in research methods on digital risks and online harms, in the context of social media platforms and data markets more broadly. Our research serves two purposes – as an identifier of protection gaps and the need for new or amended legislation, and, as a case for regulatory enforcement. We are particularly invested in preventing harm to Australians in online environments – including harm to democracy and public debate, wellbeing harms, economic harms, and social harms. We are funded by Reset (https://www.reset.tech/), Susan McKinnon Foundation, and the Internet Society Foundation.