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‘Emotional intimacy’ from AI chatbots would be banned under Australia’s digital duty of care laws
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Australia’s government is moving to ban AI chatbots that seek to create “emotional intimacy,” after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned children were treating such agents as their “best friend.” The measure is part of the digital duty of care bill, which passed the House on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate.
The bill would impose an obligation on platforms to provide a safe online environment for all Australians. It would replace existing codes with a broader duty-of-care requirement covering social media, games, apps and chatbots. Platforms would also have to offer an “opt-out” for algorithmic and suggested content.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said laws could capture content promoting misogyny, terrorism, suicide, self-harm and eating disorders. Labor accepted amendments from independent MP Kate Chaney adding AI chatbot conduct to the harms list. Platforms would have to ban material simulating emotional intimacy and fostering a child’s dependence on it instead of relationships.
In an emotional address, Albanese urged the Coalition to support the bill, saying people identifying a chatbot as their best friend should be a “wake-up call” for parliament. The opposition voted against it in the House alongside One Nation. Critics accused Labor of “Orwellian” censorship, claims Wells denied.
Another Chaney amendment requires algorithm opt-outs to be accessible, easy to use and prominently available. The bill now moves to the Senate, where the Greens have opened an inquiry due to report in late November. The Greens back a digital duty of care but want it strengthened.
Sarah Hanson-Young called for private legal action, higher penalties and an external complaints pathway “free from the profit-driven whims of big tech’s content moderation.” Independent MP Sophie Scamps proposed expanding the telecommunications ombudsman’s remit, but Labor did not accept it in the lower house. The Greens will push the reform in Senate negotiations.
