CUPERTINO, California: Australia’s online safety efforts moved to Apple on Saturday as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met executive chairman Tim Cook to discuss child protections and artificial intelligence ahead of United Nations talks.
Albanese visited Apple Park after Cook invited him to examine new parental-control features. The Australian government says some of those controls were partly inspired by its social media reforms.
Cook became Apple’s executive chairman on September 1, when John Ternus succeeded him as chief executive. Apple said Cook would continue engaging with policymakers in his new role.
Meanwhile, Canberra is consulting on its proposed Digital Duty of Care. The September 8 draft would require digital services to meet minimum safety standards and place greater responsibility on providers to address foreseeable online harms.
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The proposed “My Feed, My Way” rules would also require social media platforms to give users over 16 a choice over their default feed. Users could decide whether to receive personalised algorithmic recommendations.
Those proposals follow Australia’s social media age restrictions, which took effect on December 10, 2025. Covered platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from holding accounts.
The electronic safety eSafety Commissioner reported 4.7 million under-16 accounts had lost access by mid-December. Australia is also developing national AI standards.
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Albanese said during his U.S. visit that governments must pursue AI opportunities while managing risks, with the subject expected to feature during United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York.
