NZ HDCA
Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015
Establishes 10 communication principles and creates both criminal offenses and civil remedies for harmful digital communications. Amended 2022 for intimate image sharing. Note: Post-Christchurch rapid classification powers are in a separate law (Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Amendment Act 2021).
Jurisdiction
New Zealand
NZ
Enacted
Unknown
Effective
Nov 1, 2015
Enforcement
Netsafe (approved agency); District Court
What It Requires
Who Must Comply
Safety Provisions
- • 10 communication principles defining harmful communications
- • Criminal offenses: up to $50,000 fine or 2 years imprisonment
- • Civil remedies for victims
- • 2022 amendment addressed intimate image sharing
- • Related: Classification Act 2021 amendment added Chief Censor rapid classification powers post-Christchurch
Enforcement
Enforced by
Netsafe (approved agency); District Court
Penalties
NZD 50K; criminal (up to 2yr)
Up to NZD $50,000 or 2 years imprisonment; 556 people charged 2015-2021
Quick Facts
- Binding
- Yes
- Mental Health Focus
- Yes
- Child Safety Focus
- No
- Algorithmic Scope
- No
Why It Matters
Robust online harm framework without AI-specific regulation. Shows alternative "existing laws" approach to online safety.
Recent Developments
Government maintains "light-touch" AI approach—no AI-specific legislation planned. Christchurch Call signatories include 50+ governments.
Cite This
APA
New Zealand. (2015). Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015. Retrieved from https://nope.net/regs/nz-hdca
BibTeX
@misc{nz_hdca,
title = {Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015},
author = {New Zealand},
year = {2015},
url = {https://nope.net/regs/nz-hdca}
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