The Australian House of Representatives passed the Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026 on October 28. The legislation, introduced on October 15, 2026, now moves to the Senate for further debate following a committee inquiry.
The bill establishes a statutory digital duty of care for online services, replacing current industry-led standards. It explicitly prohibits AI chatbots from simulating emotional intimacy with children, citing concerns over emotional dependence.
Companies failing to comply with these new safety obligations face significant financial penalties of up to approximately $109.2 million. The government aims to enforce stricter standards for AI interactions with minors.
Data from the eSafety regulator indicates that 78% of Australian children aged 10 to 17 have used AI assistants, with over half utilizing them for personal interactions. The bill seeks to address these usage patterns.
Lawmakers are currently debating additional enforcement measures, including the potential empowerment of a telecommunications ombudsman to handle complaints and publicly identify non-compliant technology companies.
