Australian MPs recently proposed a new bill to ban social media companies from censoring online information posted by Australians, and prevent technology companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Google from deleting personal data and deleting posts and videos that are not illegal. The media interferes with the administration of the Australian government.
It is reported that on the morning of this Monday (February 14th local time), Australian MP George Christensen said when introducing the bill: “These platforms want to control the Internet space, delete a lot of things that do not meet their requirements. Their own standard speeches, and some selective political speeches.
These foreign social media are violating Australian laws. In the Internet debate about the new crown vaccine and treatment methods, these foreign social media have played an antagonistic role with the government and are ineffective. The control of rumors and slander online has resulted in the Australian government spending a lot of energy and resources on dispelling rumors and quelling public opinion debates.”
The bill is understood to prevent tech giants from “de-platforming” fact-checking legitimate content from Australian MPs, election candidates, registered political parties, journalists and media organizations. If the act becomes law, the Australian Communications and Media Authority could fine social media companies up to $1.1 million for violating the act. It is worth mentioning that the debate on the controversial bill has been postponed to the next Australian Parliament session.