Arabic version: فيكتوريا تقترح قانونًا لكشف هوية المستخدمين المجهولين على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي
The Allan government will draft legislation to unmask anonymous online accounts and reduce legal barriers for parents seeking to sue technology companies over harm to children. The measures are aimed at targeting anonymous trolls and big tech platforms the government says are contributing to harmful online behaviour.
According to ABC News, the proposed Australia‑first laws would require major social media companies to reveal the identity of users accused of breaching Victoria’s anti‑vilification laws. The government has described the changes as intended to protect families from the more detrimental effects of online platforms and to give families a way to take legal action against abusive anonymous accounts and to challenge tech firms over psychiatric injury to minors.
Under existing rules, a parent suing a social media or AI company must prove their child has experienced a permanent impairment of at least 10 per cent to bring the case before the courts. The government plans to lower the threshold for claims brought on behalf of minors and has said it would explore removing the threshold for adult victims as well. Under the proposed changes the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) would gain “demasking orders”, allowing it to force social media companies to reveal the identity of anonymous users so legal action can proceed.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the laws were being introduced to protect families from the more detrimental effects of online platforms: “[Parents] do feel powerless, and powerless on a couple of fronts,” and she noted “How quickly kids become obsessed with these online platforms … I see it in my own household.” The government also framed the move as a way to open online trolls to the threat of civil lawsuits by revealing their identities.
The proposal echoes a 2021 federal attempt under the Morrison government that did not pass; that earlier legislation was criticised by legal experts for providing little benefit to ordinary users who did not have the financial means to fight major legal battles. The government has not provided specific details on how the new rules would apply to users living overseas or those using VPNs.
What happens next: the government said it would aim to introduce the laws to parliament in the months before November’s state election.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | Western Australia | Victoria | General | Social/إجتماعية
