Welcome to Start the Week, our Monday scene-setter for the week ahead.

In today’s audio-led edition, we prepare for a big week of media legislation in which the government will try to make the social platforms responsible for those scammy crypto ads featuring deepfake David Koch, and to push through its age-gating legislation. We also recap the week in AI and ask whether new platform Bluesky is about to hit critical mass as a Twitter replacement.

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Welcome to the human race: How Bluesky is taking off

A key fortnight for media law lies ahead in Canberra. The government will attempt to legislate around age limits for social media, and to force the platforms to take more responsibility for scam ads. The timeline is tight, with just two more sitting weeks of Parliament before the long summer break.

Also in today’s podcast: Coke turns to AI for a reboot of its Christmas ad, and Perplexity starts to monetise its search.

And as X is increasingly recognised as a tool in Donald Trump’s victory, the exodus to Bluesky is under way.

Further reading:

* Minister for Communications: Minimum age for social media access to protect Australian kids

* Australian Financial Review: Why this former TikTok executive wants a strict social media ban

* Minister for Communications: New Duty of Care obligations on platforms will keep Australians safer online

* Unmade: Why the sudden hurry on social media?

* Forbes: Coca Cola’s AI-Generated Ad Controversy, Explained

* TechCrunch: Perplexity brings ads to its platform

* ABC News: Why X users are jumping across to new platform Bluesky in the wake of US election

Today’s episode features Tim Burrowes, Abe Udy and Cat McGinn

Editing was courtesy of Abe’s Audio, the people to talk to about voiceovers, sound design, and podcast production.

Time to leave you to start your week. We’ll be back with more tomorrow.

Toodlepip…

Tim Burrowes

Publisher - Unmade

[email protected]

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