The code illustrates well how regulators and tech giants can collaborate on the development of ways and means to make the internet safe.

Australia has introduced new regulations aimed at compelling internet search engines like Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo to combat the dissemination of child sexual abuse material (child porn) generated by artificial intelligence (AI). The online safety code, announced recently, mandates that these services must take “appropriate steps” to prevent the spread of child exploitation material, including AI-generated “synthetic” images.

This initiative follows a delay in implementing a previous version of the code due to the integration of AI functionality by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Google into their search engine services. The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, commended the collaboration between regulators and tech companies, emphasizing the importance of protecting internet users. (ALJAZEERA)

The code was revised to address the rapid growth of generative AI, which caught many by surprise. Additionally, Australia’s eSafety commissioner is working on two more codes to regulate online storage and private messaging services.

However, such efforts to enhance oversight in combating child exploitation have faced opposition from the tech industry and privacy advocates. Some companies have threatened to withdraw from certain regions if certain legislation is passed, citing concerns about user privacy, particularly related to end-to-end encryption. Violations of these codes can result in civil penalties.

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