Protect Australians Online and in the Age of AI

Australians are increasingly exposed to romance scams, fake identities, online abuse and the consequences of rapidly advancing technology.

I have seen the devastating impact of romance scams—people losing their savings, trust, relationships and mental wellbeing. These are not simply online problems. They can destroy lives.

A major weakness is how easily people can create multiple email addresses and online identities without ever proving they are a real person.

We are calling for stronger action:

1. Require physical identity-verification offices in Australia

Major dating platforms, social-media companies and relevant email providers operating in Australia should be required to have a physical Australian office or authorised verification centre where people can verify their identity in person.

Before being permitted to create or maintain certain online accounts, users should be required to establish that they are a real person and meet the applicable age requirement, using secure and privacy-protective procedures.

The goal is simple: one verified human should not be able to create unlimited unverified identities.

This would make it substantially harder for scammers, fraud networks and people using fake identities to repeatedly create new accounts.

2. Greater platform accountability

Where a platform fails to meet legally required identity, safety or fraud-prevention standards and that failure materially contributes to a serious scam, the platform should be required to contribute to compensation for victims.

3. Protection against repeated fraudulent identities

People who engage in serious fraud or abuse should not simply be able to create another email address and start again under a new identity.

4. Protection for workers displaced by AI

Companies that substantially replace human workers with AI should contribute to meaningful income support and retraining. We propose compensation of at least 60% of previous income for a defined transition period, or until suitable employment is found.

5. Responsible limits on large-scale AI replacement

The Government should investigate safeguards on the speed and scale of AI-driven workforce replacement, including a possible 25% limit within a defined period, unless adequate worker-transition protections are provided.

This is not about stopping technology.

It is about making technology accountable.

If an account can affect someone’s finances, safety, identity or wellbeing, we should know that there is a real, verified person behind it.

It is time for our laws to catch up with technology.

Sign this petition and call for stronger protection for Australians in the digital economy.