LABOR WEIGHS OPT-OUT MODEL FOR AI TRAINING ON AUSTRALIAN CONTENT

Under the proposed model, AI firms could use any publicly available content—family photos, business websites, personal blogs—to train machine learning systems. Users would need to actively opt out rather than give permission first. This reverses Australia's existing copyright framework, which typically requires permission before commercial use of creative work. The shift would fundamentally alter how Australian intellectual property is protected online. The opt-out approach mirrors policies adopted by some international jurisdictions but represents a significant departure from Australia's current legal stance. It would affect individuals, small businesses, and content creators who post material online. The proposal has not been formally announced. Questions remain about implementation timelines and whether safeguards would be included for sensitive personal information. The government has not yet responded to the leaked documents.