Social Media (Anti-Trolling) 2022

# Social Media (Anti-Trolling) Bill 2022 ## What it does This bill makes social media platforms legally responsible for defamatory posts (false claims that damage someone's reputation) on pages they control or host. It also lets courts order social media companies to hand over details about users who post defamatory material, so victims can identify and potentially sue the trolls behind abusive posts. ## Why it matters Right now, if someone posts a nasty lie about you on Facebook or Twitter, it's hard to prove who did it or hold the platform accountable. This bill aims to give ordinary Australians a real way to fight back against online abuse and misinformation by making platforms take responsibility for what gets published on their sites. ## Key details - **Page owners and platforms can be sued**: If you own a Facebook page or a social media company hosts defamatory material, you can be held liable—though platforms get a defence if they remove harmful posts quickly or have proper complaint systems in place - **Court can order user disclosure**: Courts can issue orders forcing social media companies to reveal who posted defamatory content, so victims know who to pursue legally - **Applies to material posted in Australia**: The law covers defamatory posts targeting Australians, regardless of where the poster is located - **Companies must have complaints processes**: Social media providers need proper systems for handling complaints about defamatory content