AI Matters
Why it matters
Australia moves to ban AI chatbots designed for emotional intimacy
The Guardian AI ‘Emotional intimacy’ from AI chatbots would be banned under Australia’s digital duty of care laws
Australia's lower house passed online safety legislation seeking to prohibit AI chatbots designed to foster emotional intimacy with users.
Why it matters
New online safety laws could prevent tech companies from releasing chatbots that simulate romantic or deep human relationships.
Latest brief · Oct 29, 2026