The eSafety Commissioner has today registered the remaining Phase 2 Online Safety Codes, marking a significant step forward in making the internet safer for young Australians across a broad range of digital services and devices.
The approved Online Safety Codes cover social media services, app distribution, equipment manufacturing and supply, relevant electronic services and designated internet services. Together with the previously registered Codes for search, hosting and internet service providers, they complete the suite of Phase 2 protections against harmful and age-inappropriate content online.
Dr. Jennifer Duxbury, Director, Policy, Regulatory Affairs, and Research, DIGI, said the announcement highlights the importance of strong collaboration between government and industry.
"This is a major milestone in creating a safer online environment for all Australians. These Codes will help limit the exposure of young people to harmful content and build stronger protections across the online ecosystem.
"The registration of the Codes shows what can be achieved when industry and government work together on safeguarding the community against online harms.
"It's vital the rules that apply to the online world keep pace with changes in the threat landscape. The new Codes are about making sure families have stronger protections, without losing the benefits of digital services.
"We look forward to supporting the effective implementation of the Codes, and to continuing our constructive work with the eSafety Commissioner, Minister Wells, and the Federal Government to strengthen online safety protections for all Australians."
Background
The Online Safety Act 2021 requires industry associations to develop codes, at the request of the eSafety Commissioner, to regulate the access to and distribution of harmful and age-inappropriate online material. If the Commissioner is satisfied that the codes contain appropriate community safeguards, they are registered and become legally enforceable, including through fines of up to $49.5 million.
Phase 1 Online Safety Codes, registered in 2023, addressed the most serious and illegal content, such as child sexual abuse and pro-terror material. The Phase 2 Codes focus on material identified under the National Classification Scheme as unsuitable for Australians under the age of 18, including pornography, extreme violence, and content promoting or instructing in suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.
The five associations that developed the Phase 2 Codes are the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), the Australian Telecommunications Alliance (ATA) (formerly Communications Alliance), the Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association (CESA), the Digital Industry Group (DIGI), and the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA).
The Codes were informed and guided by extensive consultation with government, industry, and the community. The Codes will take effect six months after registration and will be enforceable by the eSafety Commissioner, who has the power to investigate breaches and impose significant penalties.
About us:
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) (amta.org.au) is the peak body and trusted voice of the mobile telecommunications industry in Australia. Its members span telecommunications carriers, network vendors, infrastructure providers, handset manufacturers, and other smaller providers. Its mission is to promote an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable mobile telecommunications industry in Australia.
The Australian Telecommunications Alliance (ATA) (www.austelco.org.au) is the peak body of the Australian telecommunications industry. It is the trusted voice at the intersection of industry, government, regulators, and consumers. Through collaboration and leadership, it shapes initiatives that grow the Australian telecommunications industry, enhance connectivity for all Australians, and foster the highest standards of business behaviour.
The Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association (CESA) (cesa.asn.au) provides a united forum and voice for suppliers of consumer appliances to focus on regulatory, technical and commercial issues that affect the capacity of member companies to supply products in the Australian market.
The Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) (digi.org.au) is a non-profit industry association that advocates for the interests of the digital industry in Australia. DIGI's vision is a thriving Australian digitally-enabled economy that fosters innovation, a growing selection of digital products and services, and where online safety and privacy are protected.
The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) (igea.net) is the industry association representing and advocating for the video games industry in Australia, including the developers, publishers and distributors of video games, as well as the makers of the most popular games platforms, consoles and devices. IGEA has over a hundred members, from emerging local game development studios to some of the largest video games companies in the world.
Contact details:
For all media enquiries, please contact Darren Rodrigo on 0414 783 405 or [email protected]