Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is taking plans to rein in tech giants and boost online safety from Apple to the Big Apple.

Albanese will fly out on Friday for a week-long trip to the US, spearheaded by a visit to Silicon Valley and the UN General Assembly in New York.

Almost a year on from implementing a world-first ban on under 16s from using social media, Albanese will meet former Apple chief executive Tim Cook to discuss parental control measures being rolled out.

Apple’s parental control measures were in part inspired by the ban.
The tech executive issued an open invitation to Albanese to visit the company’s California headquarters following a phone call in June.

Digital safety will also form a key component of Albanese’s visit to New York to take part in the UN’s high-level week of meetings, the largest annual gathering of world leaders.

Efforts to improve internet safety are expected to feature prominently in Albanese’s, after teen social media ban talks led the way in his 2025 appearance. Since then, the federal government has announced plans to introduce a digital duty of care for tech giants to remove harmful content online, as well as allow users to opt out of algorithmic feeds on social media platforms.

Labor has also laid out national standards for AI companies, requiring them to be powered by renewable energy, with data centres having an obligation to underwrite new power supply.

Albanese said work on the world stage as part of the global forum would be crucial to advancing reform.

“Australia is working to prevent online harm, particularly for our children, and I am proud that Australia is setting the world standard for digital safety,” he said on Friday.

“I look forward to joining other world leaders to discuss issues impacting our communities, including fuel costs, climate change and conflict, and how we can work together to find solutions.”

There will also be bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the summit as Australia ramps up its bid for a seat on the UN’s Security Council.

Australia is bidding to become one of the 10 non-permanent members of the 15-seat council during 2029 and 2030. A vote for the spot isn’t due until 2028, but lobbying efforts will intensify during the general assembly.

Australia last held a seat on the Security Council in 2013 and 2014.

“Australia’s prosperity and security depend on a strong global system, where nations work together, agreed rules are respected, and co-operation delivers shared benefit,” Albanese said.

-AAP