AI Matters
Why it matters
Australia moves to ban AI chatbots that seek emotional intimacy
The Guardian AI ‘Emotional intimacy’ from AI chatbots would be banned under Australia’s digital duty of care laws
Australia's government wants to ban AI chatbots designed to foster emotional intimacy under a digital duty of care bill that has passed the lower house.
Why it matters
Could change how companion chatbots operate in Australia and signals how other governments may regulate them.
Latest brief · Oct 28, 2026