Theguardian iconTheguardianSep 14, 2026

The right is wrong about digital duty of care. It promises Australians more freedom, not less | Peter Lewis

Labor's law would allow choice for social media users and build accountability into the internet rather than allow the tech industry to operate with impunity. So it was last week that a bid to make tech companies address the harmful impacts of their products became a piece of political performance theatre.

The right is wrong about digital duty of care. It promises Australians more freedom, not less | Peter Lewis

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Useful takeaways from this story.

Labor's law would allow choice for social media users and build accountability into the internet rather than allow the tech industry to operate with impunity.

So it was last week that a bid to make tech companies address the harmful impacts of their products became a piece of political performance theatre.

Nation tripped over each other to condemn the government's long-awaited digital duty of care legislation.

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The useful part

Labor's law would allow choice for social media users and build accountability into the internet rather than allow the tech industry to operate with impunity. So it was last week that a bid to make tech companies address the harmful impacts of their products became a piece of political performance theatre. Nation tripped over each other to condemn the government's long-awaited digital duty of care legislation.

Details worth keeping

When you hear them cry "freedom", you know a culture war is brewing. For their fracturing base, it's another reason to hate on the government.

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