Peak communications consumer body ACCAN has welcomed federal government announcements to ensure the benefits of AI are realised while seeking to address potential risks.
The package announced by the government includes a commitment to legislate a digital duty of care, further privacy law reform, and a renewed focus on consumer protections as AI redefines how Australians access and use digital services.
ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said “This announcement marks a genuinely significant moment for consumers, one that we hope will be matched by real enforcement. We must balance the enormous promise of emerging AI tools and services against the inherent risks.
“Regulation is infamously slow to respond to technologies such as artificial intelligence, which develops faster than legislators or regulators can keep up. A principles-based approach focusing on safety and harm reduction is the right strategy.”
“It’s important that consumers have confidence in digital markets and that is contingent on Australians knowing that when they interact with an AI-powered service, the market behind it is fair, competitive, and accountable. A handful of large players can’t be permitted to set the terms which consumers simply have to accept.”
“While regulation needs to retain flexibility to develop at pace alongside AI technologies, it is paramount that the legislative frameworks for AI are robust, that consumer protection is at the heart and is enforced by regulators with teeth – regardless of the portfolio they sit within.”
“We’ve long called for a robust, legislated digital duty of care and strengthened protections for personal data. AI is supercharging scams and inflating the value of consumers’ data like never before, so this has never been more important.”
Ms Bennett said the test now is delivery and securing public trust.
“ACCAN will be looking closely at the detail as it’s released, particularly how these reforms ensure markets stay competitive and work in consumers’ interests, not just industry’s.”
ACCAN has consistently pushed for a mandatory, economy-wide approach to AI guardrails through recent government consultations, including for high-risk AI settings, automated decision-making and children’s online privacy.
About us:
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is Australia’s peak communication consumer organisation. The operation of ACCAN is made possible by funding provided by the Commonwealth of Australia under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. This funding is recovered from charges on telecommunications carriers.