Victoria announces new social media ‘demasking’ powers for accounts accused of vilification

The Victorian government has proposed new laws that would allow the state tribunal to 'demask' anonymous social media accounts accused of vilification. Additionally, the reforms lower the legal threshold for suing social media and AI platforms for negligence regarding psychiatric harm to children.
Why it matters
These reforms represent a significant shift in digital regulation, balancing online anonymity against the protection of minors and accountability for tech platforms.
As well as the new ‘demasking’ power, the Victorian reforms would lower the legal threshold to sue social media and AI platforms for negligence causing psychiatric harm to children. Photograph: Aap Image/AAP As well as the new ‘demasking’ power, the Victorian reforms would lower the legal threshold to sue social media and AI platforms for negligence causing psychiatric harm to children. Photograph: Aap Image/AAP Victoria Victoria announces new social media ‘demasking’ powers for accounts accused of vilification New laws would give Vcat power to force social and AI platforms to identify anonymous users in move premier says will protect children
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Prefer the Guardian on Google Social media companies could be forced to identify anonymous accounts accused of online vilification, under new laws being proposed in Victoria.
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