This research explores the effect of social media algorithms on political content promotion concerning the Voice referendum in Australia. Results suggest ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ filter bubbles can rapidly appear and could play a role in dividing Australian political discourse. Regulators and researchers should have independent oversight of algorithms.

There are significant gaps in Australia’s regulatory framework when it comes to electoral misinformation and disinformation served through paid-for advertising. This research demonstrates issues with platform responses to electoral misinformation served through paid-for advertising and weaknesses in platform transparency reports to the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation.

This paper reflects discussions around targeted online advertising held in a roundtable of 16 policy experts from a privacy, human rights and consumer law perspective. A number of recommendations for stronger regulation in this area, including requiring explicit opt-in for targeted advertising, are made.

This research reports on a survey of Australians asking their opinions about targeted advertising. Significant majorities of people find targeted ads intrusive and unhelpful. There is widespread support for enhanced regulation in this area, including strong support for proposals requiring platforms to provide opt-out choices.

This investigation set out to explore whether digital platforms remove electoral process misinformation when they are made aware of it via user-reporting.