Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Albanese urges big tech backing for tougher online safety rules
Australia wants to make the internet safer for children and other users.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Tim Cook from Apple to discuss this goal.
Albanese said the government needs help from large technology companies.
Apple said it has new controls that can help keep children safer online.
Australia is also preparing new rules for artificial intelligence.
The government has proposed making large online platforms responsible for taking care of users.
People could be allowed to turn off algorithmic recommendations.
The proposed rules will be discussed with companies and other groups before they go to Parliament.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Apple executive chairman Tim Cook in Cupertino, California, to discuss online safety.
Albanese said Australia cannot protect children from online harms alone and called for stronger technology-company support.
Australia plans to introduce new artificial intelligence standards by the end of the year.
Draft legislation would impose a duty of care on major platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
The proposed laws would let users disable algorithmic recommendations and are expected in Parliament later this year.
- Who
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Apple executive chairman Tim Cook and major technology companies.
- What
- Australia is seeking support for stronger online-safety laws and new artificial-intelligence standards.
- When
- Albanese met Cook on Saturday; the AI standards are planned by the end of the year, and the draft online-safety laws are expected in Parliament later this year.
- Where
- Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, during Albanese’s visit to the United States.
- Why
- To protect children and Australians from online harm and ensure technology works for Australians.
Stronger Regulation
Technology Industry Role
Government responsibility
Stronger Regulation
Albanese’s government says stronger rules are needed to protect children and Australians from online harm.
Technology Industry Role
The government also says Australia cannot act alone and needs major technology companies to help deliver online safety.
Platform requirements
Stronger Regulation
The draft legislation would impose a duty of care on major platforms and allow users to disable algorithmic recommendations.
Technology Industry Role
Apple has highlighted its own strong and intuitive controls to help keep children safe online.
- Australian leader
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
- Technology executive
- Apple executive chairman Tim Cook
- Planned AI standards
- Australia plans to roll out new standards by the end of the year.
- Proposed platform obligation
- Major platforms would face a duty of care.
- Potentially affected platforms
- Facebook, TikTok and Instagram are named in the draft legislation.
- User control
- Users could be given the option to disable algorithmic recommendations.
- Legislative timeline
- The proposed laws are expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year after consultations.