The Allan Government will introduce new laws aimed at making social media and artificial intelligence companies more accountable while giving victims of online vilification greater powers to identify anonymous offenders.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the reforms would give the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal new powers to order social media companies to reveal the identities of anonymous users accused of online vilification, while also making it easier for families to pursue negligence claims against technology platforms.
The proposal builds on Victoria’s recently strengthened anti-vilification framework, which introduced new criminal offences in 2025 and expanded civil protections earlier this year to cover serious online and offline hate speech.
Under the plan, VCAT would be able to issue what the government describes as “demasking orders”, compelling platforms to disclose the identities of anonymous users accused of vilification.
Allan said anonymity should not shield people engaging in online abuse.
“Hiding behind an anonymous account online should never mean you can vilify someone and get away with it,” she said.
The government also plans to remove an existing legal threshold that families must satisfy before bringing negligence claims against social media or AI companies for psychiatric harm suffered by children.
Current Victorian law requires plaintiffs to demonstrate a permanent impairment of at least 10 per cent before many psychiatric injury claims can proceed. Labor says that threshold would no longer apply to cases involving minors suing social media and AI providers.
“Social media and AI companies design their platforms to be addictive, and our kids are paying the price,” Allan said.
“If a platform hurts a child, families should be able to take that company to court.”
The government said overseas courts have already found technology companies liable over platform features designed to encourage prolonged engagement by children. It will also consider during the drafting process whether similar changes should extend to adult plaintiffs.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said the proposed demasking powers would give victims of online abuse another avenue to pursue those responsible.
“These reforms will help victims of online hate find out who’s really behind the keyboard,” she said.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the changes reflected growing concern about the impact of online abuse.
“We’re taking action, because no one should have their mental health impacted by senseless online hate,” she said.
Both measures will be developed through consultation with VCAT, the courts and other stakeholders before legislation is introduced.
Victoria has taken an increasingly active role in regulating online hate, with stronger anti-vilification laws already applying to conduct on social media and other digital platforms. The latest proposal extends that focus to anonymity and the responsibilities of technology companies, particularly where children are involved.
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