Trust in big tech erodes at every level as new data reveals Aussie misinformation, data misuse concerns

Trust in big tech companies is eroding at every level — from platforms, policy and content — as new data shows serious concern in Australia about misinformation, AI and data misuse.

A new study has revealed parents don’t believe tech companies should be left to mark their own homework and has called for further protections from the Australian government.

Only 28 per cent of the more than 1000 school-aged parents believed tech companies should be responsible for setting their own industry standards, with a strong majority of 76 per cent saying governments should be able to fine those that don’t protect children’s data.

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s Jessie Mitchell said the survey showed trust has collapsed, with parents calling for data ‘privacy by default’ to be mandatory, a ban on the trading of children’s data and digital duty of care to be enforced on tech firms.

“The message from Australian families is loud and clear - the days of expecting tech giants to mark their own homework are over,” she said.

The Albanese Government has committed to implementing a digital duty of care.

A consultation survey, which closed in December, received more than 1300 responses, which are being assessed by the department to help shape the reform design.

And while parents lack trust in tech companies, separate research shows young people are also losing trust - this time in online information.

The latest Australian Youth Digital Index released on Wednesday showed close to half of the nearly 4800 young people aged eight to 25 who were surveyed were worried about coming across false information and not recognising it.

Almost 40 per cent were worried about hackers or scammers and having photos or personal information exposed without consent.

The research from Telstra Foundation is designed to gauge the attitudes and relationships young Australians have with digital technology across five pillars - “access, connectivity, skills, safety and wellbeing”.

“Young people’s concern about the trustworthiness of online information is a major and growing concern,” Telstra Foundation chief executive Jackie Coates said.

“Nearly three quarters of young people, 72 per cent, reported exposure to at least one kind of potentially unsafe situation online, but pleasingly, they have growing skills to manage these situations,” Ms Coates said.

“It is clear that young people are aware of safety issues but also enjoy significant benefits from being online, so are upskilling to manage the known risks.”

It comes amid revelations Snapchat’s age verification provider k-ID hasn’t been able check whether a facial scan matches the age or gender details entered on an account due to privacy safeguards between the tool and the app.

The app is among 10 included in Australia’s word first social media ban.

Shadow Minister for Communications Melissa McIntosh said the finding raised concerns children are accessing platforms using adult scans or fake ages.

She also claimed it undermined the Government’s claim that more than 4.7 million youth accounts had been deactivated.

“This has been a total flop – and an expensive one at that,” Ms McIntosh said.

“This hasn’t stopped kids accessing social media, reduced online harm or made the online world safer.”

The eSafety Commission urges any children and families who need further support and information to access their social media age restrictions hub.