PM urges US tech giants to compete on online safety
Andrew Brown |
Big tech has a responsibility to ensure children and other internet users are safe online, the prime minister says ahead of talks with Apple executives.
Anthony Albanese has arrived in California, where he will meet with former Apple chief executive Tim Cook on Sunday morning Australian time.
The talks follow a conversation between the pair in June about Australia’s world-leading ban on social media for those younger than 16.
Apple has said parental control and child safety features recently rolled out on its devices were in part inspired by Australia’s social media ban.
Mr Albanese, who will see a demonstration of the measures when he visits Apple’s headquarters, said they proved tech giants could make the internet safer and set a precedent for the sector.
“Tim Cook and Apple are showing that the industry can, and must, compete on safety standards, not just convenience,” he said in a statement.
“Australia is proud to lead the world with our social media age ban and online safety approach.
“We know addressing children’s safety online is complex and requires ongoing effort and innovation.”
The prime minister will also discuss Apple’s investments in Australian television, after laws passed parliament in 2025 requiring streaming platforms to spend a portion of their earnings on local content.
Digital safety will also form part of Mr Albanese’s agenda when he visits the United Nations in New York for the forum’s high-level week.
Efforts to force tech companies to remove harmful content online through a digital duty of care will be highlighted on the world stage, as will efforts to give social media users the option to opt out of algorithmic feeds.
“Other nations are reaching out, looking at the work that Australia has done,” Mr Albanese told reporters as he arrived in the US.
“Australia has no greater friend than the US and tomorrow … will be an important day looking at new technology and how we make sure we protect children in particular.”
National standards for AI companies, requiring them to be powered by renewable energy and for data centres to underwrite new power supply, are also expected to feature prominently in Australian addresses.
Mr Albanese said countries around the world were grappling with the rapid expansion of AI.
“We need to make sure we shape its use in the interests of humanity, rather than allow it to shape us,” he said.
“This is something that goes beyond national boundaries and that’s why it requires discussion at the multilateral level.”
The prime minister will travel to New York on Friday as Australia lobbies to secure a seat on the UN Security Council.
Australia is bidding to become one of the 10 non-permanent members of the 15-seat council for a two-year term in 2029 and 2030.
A vote for the positions won’t take place until 2028.
So far, Australia and Finland are the only countries with a hand up for the two spots available from the Western Europe and Others Group but two-thirds of UN members still need to endorse the role if no others come forward.
Mr Albanese will also receive an Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award on the sidelines of the UN, recognising his role in promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
He will be one of four people recognised by the council, alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali and Oscar nominee and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo.
AAP