Technology—the devices, the industry, the political ideology underpinning it, and the policy and legislative agendas around it—present critical tensions for rights and freedoms in the digital age which stand to impact all of us. So how can we have the requisite discussions when the same rhetorical weapons are repeatedly used to crush criticism?

Digital platforms are at the centre of modern life and we deserve to have a real say in shaping how those platforms work and who they work for. We should be able to engage in civic life free from surveillance, manipulation and control. Now is the perfect time to be asking serious questions about how we best build, maintain and govern such critical social infrastructure in a way that is accountable to the people.

If Labor wanted to set itself apart, it could start by promising to implement a range of policy proposals that are already on the table that could contribute to a more expansive idea of online safety. Bolder still, strong opposition against the introduction of rampant surveillance powers, invasive technologies such as facial recognition, and attempts to undermine our digital security would be welcome moves to enhance our collective safety in the digital age.