# Australia may ban AI chatbots that create Emotional intimacy

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-10-28T05:31:55Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/australia-may-ban-ai-chatbots-that-create-emotional-intimacy

## Summary

The Australian federal government has passed a digital duty of care bill that would ban AI chatbots that seek to create "emotional intimacy" with users, especially children. The bill, approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, will now be debated in the Senate, with a target to pass by the end of 2026. It also requires social media platforms to offer an opt‑out feature for algorithmic and suggested content, and adds certain AI chatbot activity to the list of harms that must be removed.

Labor supports the legislation, while the Coalition has said it will not vote for it. The Greens back the bill and plan to probe the laws in a Senate inquiry that will report back in late November. Opponents argue the measure could amount to censorship and give big tech too much control.

The bill also proposes expanding the remit of the telecommunications ombudsman to provide an external complaints mechanism for users of social media and other online services, a change that has been suggested by several MPs but not yet adopted.

## Key points

- australian house passes digital duty of care bill that would ban ai chatbots creating emotional intimacy
- bill requires social media platforms to offer opt‑out algorithm features
- coalition opposes; greens support; senate debate pending

## Why it matters

The legislation could reshape how AI chatbots interact with children and set a precedent for online safety standards worldwide, affecting platform design and user protection.

## Sources

1. [‘Emotional intimacy’ from AI chatbots would be banned under Australia’s digital duty of care laws](https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/28/emotional-intimacy-ai-chatbots-ban-digital-duty-of-care-laws-australian-politics) (The Guardian AI, 2026-10-28)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Australia may ban AI chatbots that create Emotional intimacy", 28 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/australia-may-ban-ai-chatbots-that-create-emotional-intimacy

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