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Tech companies release latest data on misinformation fight under Australian code

The Digital Industry Group

DIGI Media Release, Thursday 5 June 2025: Australia’s major digital platforms are doubling down on their efforts to tackle misinformation and strengthen the online content environment, according to new 2025 transparency reports released today under the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation.

The reports show platforms are continuing to invest in proactive AI tools, entering into new multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborations, and introducing new labels and safeguards around AI generated content, especially during elections.

DIGI Managing Director Sunita Bose said the industry remains strongly committed to combating misinformation while further strengthening public transparency.

“These reports show just how seriously platforms are taking their responsibilities to protect Australians from harmful mis- and disinformation online.

“Whether it’s combating malicious disinformation campaigns, strengthening election integrity or expanding the deployment of labelling tools for AI generated material, signatories are investing heavily in protecting people from the spread of harmful mis- and disinformation.”

Key themes across the 2024 transparency reports include:

AI transparency and labelling: Google extended its SynthID watermarking to text and video, while Meta, TikTok and Adobe enhanced AI labelling and provenance tools.

 

Election integrity: Platforms including Meta, TikTok and Google implemented targeted policies during the global 2024 election cycle to address electoral misinformation and promote access to reliable information. Microsoft launched several initiatives in Australia to ensure election integrity, including establishing a dedicated escalation point, training over 150 individuals to combat misinformation, and launching the Microsoft-2024 Elections site for reporting deceptive AI election content. 

Supporting authoritative and reliable content: Signatories promoted authoritative content sources and information to improve the overall information ecosystem.

Transparency initiatives: Many signatories expanded their reports to provide further transparency into their efforts, especially around generative AI.

Platform specific innovations included:

• Google joined the global C2PA coalition, expanded SynthID watermarking across text and video, and YouTube expanded its privacy request process to allow individuals to request the removal of AI-generated or other synthetic or altered content that looks or sounds like them.   
• Meta rolled out new ways to identify and label AI generated content and partnered with AAP FactCheck on a media literacy campaign that reached 2.5 million Australians.
• TikTok removed over 20,000 harmful misinformation videos and became the first video platform to implement C2PA Content Credentials.
• Adobe grew its Content Authenticity Initiative to over 4,500 members, championing the adoption of Content Credentials as a “nutrition label” for digital content.

Key statistics from 2024 include:

• YouTube removed 5,169 videos uploaded from IP addresses in Australia for violating Misinformation or Spam, misleading and scams policies.
• TikTok consistently exceeded 95% proactive misinformation removal rates in Australia.

The transparency reports also recognise the growing importance of multi-stakeholder collaborations in increasing societal resilience to mis- and disinformation threats with signatories participating in a diverse range of cross-industry partnerships, academic researchers and media literacy initiatives.

For example, Meta funded independent research into the 2023 Voice Referendum campaign and adult media literacy, while Microsoft and Google supported media literacy and AI ethics programs.

New independent reviewer appointed

DIGI has appointed a new independent reviewer of the Code, Shaun Davies, to provide additional oversight and support best-practice implementation. DIGI thanks outgoing independent reviewer, Hal Crawford, for his significant contributions to improving the quality of transparency reporting under the ACPDM. We wish Hal all the best in his new role as Editorial Director of Mumbrella. 

Mr Davies is a respected digital leader with two decades of experience in AI policy, content moderation and media strategy. His work at Microsoft and ongoing academic research at UTS gives him a strong and unique insight into the challenges of digital content governance.

Mr Davies said Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation and transparency reports were critical in protecting Australians while they were online.

“I’m honoured to take on this role and do my bit to make Australia’s information ecosystem healthier. The transparency reports are a vital mechanism to understand how tech platforms are meeting their commitments under the Code, and where we can continue to improve. 

 

“Striking a balance between user safety and free speech is a difficult job. I was struck in this year’s reports by examples of how generative AI is being leveraged for both the creation and detection of mis- and disinformation. I’m also heartened that multiple initiatives that make the provenance of AI-generated content more visible to users are starting to bear fruit. 

 

“I’m looking forward to supporting DIGI and signatories in strengthening public trust and accountability.”

 

Looking ahead, DIGI and signatories will undertake a planned review of the code in H2 2025, considering improvements to the code, which will include consideration of ACMA recommendations around transparency reporting, governance and complaints handling. 

All transparency reports are available at digi.org.au/disinformation-code/transparency/.

DIGI’s annual report is available at digi.org.au/disinformation-code/governance/.

About DIGI

The Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) is a non-profit industry association advocating for the digital industry in Australia. DIGI is a government partner on online safety, consumer protection and misinformation, developing industry codes and effective policy solutions.

 

 

Contact details:

For all media enquiries, please contact Darren Rodrigo on 0414 783 405 or [email protected]