Online safety inquiry a step forward – Labour

A Select Committee inquiry into online safety tabled in Parliament today confirms Labour’s long held view that keeping young people safe online requires more than simply setting an age limit.

“With this report, we now have a better chance to educate and empower parents, caregivers and young people about dangers online, and help them to understand how platforms and algorithms work,” Labour technology and innovation spokesperson Reuben Davidson said.

“My Members’ Bill on Online Safety reflects the report’s direction. It would put three clear legal duties on online service providers to ensure their platforms are safer.

“New Zealand needs an independent regulator to make sure online platforms are safe, and to ensure social media companies can be held responsible for the harm they cause.

“We also need clear rules to control deepfake technology and a ban on “nudify” apps, which pose real risks to young people’s privacy and safety.

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work constructively with National throughout the inquiry, and now we need to work together on reforms. Keeping young people safe online is too important for political point-scoring,” Reuben Davidson said.