No, Australian law prohibits deceptive identities on social media under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and Social Media Platforms: Code of Practice (2026 draft), with penalties up to $500,000 for corporations and $110,000 for individuals. The Enhancing Online Safety Act 2021 empowers the eSafety Commissioner to investigate impersonation, while the Privacy Act 1988 restricts misleading representations in commercial contexts.
Key Regulations for Using Fake Names on Social Media in Australia
- Australian Consumer Law (ACL) s 18: Prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct, including using fake names to misrepresent identity for commercial gain. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) actively enforces this against influencer fraud and undisclosed sponsorships.
- Enhancing Online Safety Act 2021: Mandates platforms to remove impersonation content within 24 hours of a complaint under the Basic Online Safety Expectations. Non-compliance risks fines up to $550,000 for social media giants.
- Social Media Platforms: Code of Practice (2026 draft): Requires identity verification for high-risk accounts (e.g., political or financial commentary) and bans pseudonymous accounts in sectors like healthcare or finance to prevent fraud under ASIC and APRA guidelines.