Social media and technology giants, Google, Meta, TikTok and Twitter will appear at public hearings to examine online safety matters.
The hearing will be conducted by the House of Representatives Select Committee on Social Media and Online Safety and will be held on Thursday, 20 January 2022 and Friday, 21 January 2022.
Committee chair, Lucy Wicks MP, said, that these hearings will enable the Committee to scrutinise the industry’s response to online harms and abuse faced by everyday Australians.
“The Committee’s early hearings received powerful evidence from people who have experienced different types of online harm and in these hearings, the Committee can examine how the industry intends to move forward and protect its users,” she said.
B&T has previously reported on the Federal Governments intolerance for unaccountable tech companies.
B&T also reported on big tech company’s backlash to proposed new measures.
Now developments over the next few days could well spell the end of the era of big tech self-regulation.
Speaking at the two-day hearing, witnesses will include stakeholders from the technology sector, including the Digital Industry Group, Reset Australia and the Centre for Digital Wellbeing.
The Committee will also hear evidence from academics and researchers, mental health organisations and government agencies.
Currently, The Committee anticipates tabling its final report in Parliament by 15 February 2022.
Programs for both hearings can be found on the Committee’s website.
