Wells says online duty targets platforms, not speech

Communications Minister Anika Wells has dismissed claims the federal government's proposed digital duty of care laws would censor Australians or subject them to covert surveillance.

Addressing the National Press Club on 15 October 2026, she said the measures were directed at how platforms operate rather than at individuals and their views. The Guardian

She said adults who listen to manosphere podcasts could continue to do so without restriction under the proposal. The same applied, she said, to people who say the moon landing was fake. She said the digital duty of care was about what platforms do on the internet, not what people say on the internet.

She said the government was not controlling free speech and was not conducting covert surveillance through the laws. She also rejected Coalition claims that eSafety 'sock puppets' would spread disinformation. The Guardian

The Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026 was introduced into parliament on 15 October 2026. Platforms face fines of more than $100 million for non-compliance with the proposed rules.

Wells said she was considering updates that would allow individual Australians to directly sue big tech companies flouting the rules. She said she was willing to negotiate further on the laws. ABC

She removed a key power from the bill to protect journalists. Herald Sun The proposal had been released for targeted consultation on 4 September 2026, and the United States government submitted a response to that consultation.

Wells had said at a Davies Park, Brisbane press conference that Digital Duty of Care legislation would be introduced to Parliament in October.