FARE welcomes the Australian Government’s proposed introduction of a Digital Duty of Care and supports greater accountability for online platforms for harms arising from the design and operation of their systems.
Everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of digital technologies in safe environments that support health and wellbeing. However, digital platforms use sophisticated data-driven systems to target people with marketing for addictive products such as alcohol. These systems can tailor content and messaging to individual susceptibilities, including targeting people experiencing alcohol dependence.
FARE supports the proposed Digital Duty of Care, including requirements for platforms to assess and mitigate reasonably foreseeable harms, address risks arising from algorithms and recommender systems, and strengthen transparency and accountability.
FARE’s submission recommends:
- Broadening the definition of harmful material and conduct to capture alcohol and other drugs, including where material is harmful to children; and
- Explicitly recognising harms arising from digital marketing systems, practices and content within the scope of the Digital Duty of Care.
The Digital Duty of Care should ensure platforms are accountable for the foreseeable harms enabled by the systems they design and operate, including harms associated with the marketing of addictive products such as alcohol.