DIGI has today launched a public consultation to inform a review of the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation (ACPDM). The ACPDM is a commitment by a diverse set of major technology companies to reduce the risk of online disinformation and harmful misinformation.
DIGI has published a Discussion Paper to guide the consultation, inviting input from the public, civil society, academia, and government on the future of the Code.
Sunita Bose, Managing Director of DIGI, said the review is a critical opportunity to ensure the industry’s approach to mis- and disinformation remains robust and reflects community expectations.
"Since the launch of the ACPDM in 2021, the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation has become foundational to our policy response to these highly complex issues in Australia", Ms Bose said.
"This review is an important process to ensure the Code remains an effective tool, so we encourage a wide range of stakeholders to participate and share expertise on combating mis- and disinformation in Australia.”
The Discussion Paper outlines several key areas for consideration, including:
- The scope of the APCDM;
- Improving the transparency reporting process to provide the public with more meaningful information;
- The Code's role in fostering a broader "eco-system approach" to combating misinformation, involving actors beyond just digital platforms;
- Potential improvements to the public complaints handling process to enhance accountability;
- The role, membership, and remit of the Code's Administration sub-Committee.
Since its establishment, DIGI and code signatories have continually improved the ACPDM. In the last planned review of the ACPDM in 2022, DIGI strengthened the ACPDM, making changes, including an improved definition of ‘harm’ in relation to mis and disinformation, additional commitments and more proportionate annual transparency reporting requirements for smaller platforms to encourage them to adopt the code, which can be flexibly applied to different types of digital service providers.
The consultation period will be open for six weeks from today, September 30, until November 3, 2025.
The Discussion Paper and details on how to make a submission are available on the DIGI website at www.digi.org.au/code-review-2025.
About us:
DIGI is a not-for-profit industry association and the administrator of the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation. The signatories include Adobe, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Redbubble, TikTok, and Twitch.
Contact details:
Darren Rodrigo - 0414 783 405 or [email protected]