Labor backs law to legalise undercover online profiles for research

Labor's Digital Duty of Care proposal will allow the creation of false online identities for legitimate research and regulatory testing, according to Communications Minister Anika Wells. The measure clarifies that such "sock puppet" accounts cannot be used to disseminate AI-generated propaganda or to sway public discussion. Wells said existing Australian Online Safety Act offers no protection for investigators, stifling their ability to hold platforms accountable, and gave the example of two researchers who had to base a study in Europe.

The bill would let these accounts observe, download, and interact with services, and test features, while keeping the activity within legal bounds. Critics warned the term "sock puppet" usually implies deceptive behavior, but the government maintains the law targets only bona-fide research. The proposal also reassured that anonymous accounts unrelated to research will not be banned.