Victoria proposes new demasking powers to force social and AI platform

Victoria proposes new demasking powers to force social and AI platforms to reveal anonymous accounts accused of online vilification

The government of Victoria, Australia, has proposed new laws that would grant the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Vcat) demasking powers. The tribunal would be able to force social media and AI platforms to reveal the identities of anonymous accounts accused of online vilification.

The reform package, announced by Premier Jacinta Allan on Sunday, July 19, also lowers the legal threshold for families to sue platforms for negligence causing psychiatric harm to minors. Currently, families must prove a child suffered at least 10% permanent psychiatric impairment. Under the new proposal, this barrier would be removed for minors.

While legal experts like Marilyn Bromberg call the demasking laws a brave start, the legislation faces tight timelines. Shadow Attorney General James Newbury noted that the bill is unlikely to pass before the November state election, as the parliament has only four sitting weeks remaining.