Online giants join code of practice

CANBERRA: Online giants including Facebook and Google have released a voluntary code for dealing with disinformation and political advertising in Australia.

Other firms including Twitter, TikTok and Microsoft have joined the code of practice.

The rules will be overseen by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

‘‘We’ve all seen the damage that online disinformation can cause, particularly among vulnerable groups,’’ Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said yesterday.

‘‘This has been especially apparent during the Covid19 pandemic.’’

The code was developed in response to a digital platforms inquiry and mirrors similar rules in the European Union.