Victoria proposes forcing social media platforms to unmask anonymous accounts accused of vilification

This article was published on July 19, 2026 The state would also scrap the 10% permanent impairment threshold for children suing platforms for psychiatric harm. The laws are being drafted before a November election. Victoria proposes “demasking” powers to force platforms to identify anonymous accounts in vilification cases. It would also make it easier for families to sue platforms for harm to children. Victoria’s premier Jacinta Allan announced on Sunday that the state would propose laws granting the Victorian civil and administrative tribunal power to order social media and AI platforms to reveal the identities of anonymous account holders accused of online vilification. The “demasking” powers would be the first of their kind for an Australian state. Allan said families needed new ways to protect their children online. The proposed reforms go beyond identity disclosure. Victoria would also scrap the legal threshold that currently requires families to prove a child has suffered a permanent impairment of at least 10% before suing platforms for negligence causing psychiatric harm. That threshold, assessed by medical practitioners using standardised calculations, has made it effectiv