Thread

1. nomilk · 1790133002 · focus · HN ↗

   As is common in political shenanigans, the draft bill has a euphemistic label ('algorithmic opt-out') - what it actually does is allow unspecified bureaucrats such as the Minister for Communications to designate any individual piece of content as 'harmful' and have it banished from the internet.

   As an Australian who just wants relatively free access to information (and the ability to freely/easily discuss it), it's frustrating.

   And it's not the first time the Australian government has done this; last year they banned U16 from social media, several weeks later everyone was alerted to Bondi by... social media.. so they could get the heck out of there, but U16... they were left clueless and unable to get updates (news sites ran 30+ minutes behind real-time events and official sites like NSW Police took 70+ minutes to even announce there was a shooter).

   1. iso1631 · 1790134664 · focus · HN ↗

      The Australian Minister for Communications is Anika Wells, the elected member for parliament with 64.52% after second-round counting

      Calling democraticly elected people you dislike a "bureaucrat" is disingenuous

      1. _kb · 1790135323 · focus · HN ↗

         For context: personally strongly in favour of legislation that will kneecap algorithmic feeds in almost any way.

         A big concern with these (and other associated laws) being pushed through is it grants the eSafety Commissioner powers to edict what’s allowed.

         That position is appointed, not elected.

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