Victoria Proposes New ‘Demasking’ Powers to Unmask Anonymous Social Media Accounts Accused of Vilification

Proposed new legislation in Victoria could compel social media companies to identify anonymous users accused of online vilification.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced a comprehensive suite of social media reforms on Sunday, emphasizing the urgent need for new mechanisms to protect children in digital spaces.

Under these proposed changes—marking a first for an Australian state—the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) would receive “demasking” powers, allowing it to order platforms to reveal the identities of account holders in specific cases.

The state government also intends to lower the legal threshold for suing social media and artificial intelligence platforms for negligence resulting in psychiatric harm to minors.

Currently, families must demonstrate that a child has suffered a permanent impairment of at least 10% to pursue damages.

These levels of injury are currently determined by medical practitioners through complex calculations to estimate the severity of the trauma.

The proposed reforms would eliminate this threshold for legal actions brought on behalf of minors, while additional provisions for adult victims are currently under consideration.

Marilyn Bromberg, an associate professor of law at the University of Western Australia specializing in social media regulation, suggested that while these measures are a positive step, they may not go far enough.

She noted to AAP that “demasking” powers used in various overseas jurisdictions have successfully acted as a deterrent against harmful online behaviors.

Bromberg argued there is no reason to exclude other forms of harmful online conduct, such as cyberbullying and defamation, from these powers.

“It’s a brave start, but I don’t think it goes far enough,” she remarked.

Bromberg also expressed support for making negligence claims more accessible for families.

“The harms that social media can cause young people have been substantiated by compelling, peer-reviewed research,” she said.

She added that stronger protections would complement existing measures, including Australia’s advanced minimum age requirements for social media usage.

Social media corporations are already facing a growing tide of legal action from families globally.

In early 2026, a US jury held Alphabet’s Google and Meta liable for damages in a landmark lawsuit involving social media addiction.

That verdict was viewed by many as a significant turning point in the global movement against platforms perceived to cause mental health issues in youth.

Bromberg noted it remains to be seen if Victoria’s legislative shifts will trigger similar waves of litigation in Australia.

Premier Jacinta Allan stated that these reforms are long overdue.

“Social media and AI companies design their platforms to be addictive, and our kids are paying the price,” she said.

“If a platform hurts a child, families should be able to take that company to court.”

Both sets of reforms will undergo further development following consultations with VCAT, the courts, and other key stakeholders.

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