Disinformation Code

Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation.

An industry-led initiative

to take action on disinformation, harmful misinformation and promote transparency.
About the code

A voluntary industry initiative to tackle online disinformation and misinformation through transparency, accountability, and collaboration.

Signatories

Industry signatories commit to safeguards reducing online disinformation and harmful misinformation.

Transparency

Platforms commit to annual public transparency reports on actions taken to combat online harmful misinformation and disinformation.

Make a Complaint

Australians can lodge complaints about potential breaches of the code, reviewed by an independent committee.

WHAT IS THE AUSTRALIAN CODE OF PRACTICE ON DISINFORMATION AND MISINFORMATION?

The Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation

The Australian Code of practice on Disinformation and Misinformation is a commitment from a diverse set of technology companies to implement safeguards that reduce the spread and visibility of mis- and disinformation online. 

Currently Adobe, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Redbubble, TikTok and Twitch have adopted the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation.

Signatories commit to implementing a range of scalable measures that reduce the risk of online disinformation and misinformation causing harm to Australians. They release annual transparency reports on their efforts, helping to build a clearer understanding of how online disinformation and misinformation are being addressed in Australia.

For more information, watch this short video from DIGI’s Managing Director, Sunita Bose.

SIGNATORIES

The Australian Code of Practice on Misinformation and Disinformation.

The code is open to any company in the digital industry as a blueprint for best practice for how to combat mis and disinformation online. If you are interested in adopting the code, please contact us at hello@digi.org.au

DOWNLOAD THE CODE

JULY 2024

Download the code

This is the latest version of The Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation, launched on 26 July 2024. 

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CODE DEVELOPMENT

Here you will find DIGI produced or commissioned reports that have informed the code’s initial development and evolution.

DECEMBER 2022

 

2022 Submission Report

This report explains the outcome of the 2022 code review, explaining code changes and how stakeholder feedback was addressed.

DOWNLOAD PDF

JUNE 2022

 

2022 Annual Report

This report provides research about Australians’ perceptions of misinformation. It contains information about how the code has evolved since it was initially launched.

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JUNE 2022

 

2022 Review Discussion Paper

This discussion paper provides background and specific questions and proposals to assist public consultation on the code review. It takes into account the ACMA’s report to the previous Government that was released in March 2022.

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FEBRUARY 2021

 

2021 Submission report

DIGI conducted public consultation on a draft code in October 2020 and closely reviewed all public submissions to inform changes to the first version published in February 2021.

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2025 TRANSPARENCY REPORTS

The fifth set of reports were published in May 2025.

They cover data from the January 2024 – December 2024 calendar year. The reports have been reviewed by an independent expert Shaun Davies.

SIGNATORIES COMMITMENTS

The table below shows signatories’ current commitments to the code’s objectives. Objectives #1 and #7 are mandatory, and other commitments are opt-in recognising the diversity of signatories’ products and services. For example, signatories may choose not to adopt #5 in relation to political advertising if their service does not offer political advertising.

For a more detailed breakdown of the outcomes under each objective that signatories have adopted, view the opt-in disclosures provided in 2021. The most recent information about signatories’ activities relating to each of their commitments, and any changes to those commitments, can be found in the most recent transparency reports.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation?
We think misinformation is best understood as false or misleading information disseminated online which can, but may not be intended to, cause harm. For example, individuals can share harmful false information on social media that they genuinely believe to be true. Disinformation is false or misleading information that can cause harm and is disseminated online by spam or other kinds of manipulative aggressive bulk behaviors. For example, disinformation can be spread by malicious actors with the aim of causing deliberate damage to democratic political processes, such as elections, or to undermine public health initiatives or harm marginalised or vulnerable groups.
What kinds of commitments are signatories making under the code?
Every company that signs this code is agreeing to safeguards to protect Australians from harmful dis and misinformation online. That includes publishing and implementing policies on their approach, providing a way for their users to report content that may violate those policies and implementing a range of scalable measures that reduce its spread and visibility online. The specific measures will vary depending on the type of digital service the signatory provides, but could include content labelling and removal, restricting inauthentic accounts and behaviours, partnerships with fact-checking organisations, and technology to help people to check the authenticity of digital content.
Why is this a voluntary code, not mandatory?
The Code was developed in response to the Australian Government policy announced in December 2019, where the digital industry was asked to develop a voluntary code of practice on disinformation. Voluntary codes of practice are broadly used in a range of industries, including the media and advertising. A self-regulatory approach means the code can evolve to address advances in threats and technology faster than legislation, which is important because perpetrators of disinformation are constantly updating their tactics to evade the responses of technology companies. This code requires constant, proactive efforts by signatories to meet their commitments.

MORE INFO

Lodge a complaint

 

To lodge a complaint under the code, please use the complaint form here. DIGI only accepts complaints from the Australian public where they believe a signatory has materially breached the code’s commitments. DIGI cannot accept complaints about individual items of content on signatories’ products or services, and ask that these be directed to the signatory via their reporting mechanisms or otherwise.

LODGE COMPLAINT

Get in touch

 

The code is open to any company in the digital industry as a blueprint for best practice for how to combat mis and disinformation online. If you are interested in adopting the code, please contact us at hello@digi.org.au.

EMAIL US

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hello@digi.org.au

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