Victoria Proposes 'Demasking' Powers to Unmask Anonymous Social Media Users in Vilification Cases

On 19 July 2026, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan proposed granting the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal power to order social media platforms to reveal anonymous account holders' identities in online vilification cases — the first such state-level reform in Australia. The measures, subject to consultation with courts and stakeholders, may later extend to adult victims. Legal scholars say the precedent could reach defamation and cyberbullying.