Reddit and Kick are the latest platforms added to Australia’s list of age-restricted social networks.
The law, which comes into effect on December 10, will fine platforms up to A$50 million for failing to block users under 16 from accessing their content. However, critics fear that the required age verification methods will compromise the data privacy of all Australian users.
Privacy and circumvention concerns
The impending ban has sparked significant debate, particularly over how platforms will enforce age restrictions. Critics have raised serious privacy concerns, arguing that the methods needed to verify a user’s age could compromise the data of all Australians, not just children.
The law requires companies to implement age control technologies, which could involve biometric analysis or the collection of sensitive identity documents, creating new risks to data security.
The government has stated that platforms will not need to verify the age of each user, but must take “reasonable measures” to detect and remove those under 16 years of age. However, the ambiguity of what constitutes “reasonable measures” has left technology companies concerned about compliance.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has indicated that this will be a “dynamic list”, with the possibility of adding more services as technology evolves.
Furthermore, doubts persist about the effectiveness of the law in a globalized digital world.
In other countries where platform-specific bans have been implemented, tech-savvy users often turn to tools like the best VPN to bypass the restrictions. A VPN, or virtual private network, can mask a user’s location and IP address, making it difficult for platforms to enforce region-specific rules and age barriers.
An evolving digital landscape
The inclusion of Reddit, a sprawling forum with diverse communities, and Kick, a popular live streaming service known for its gambling content, highlights the challenge facing regulators.
While some platforms such as Discord, Roblox and WhatsApp are currently excluded, the eSafety Commissioner has made it clear that assessments are ongoing.
A Kick spokesperson told Channel News Asia that while Australia is a small market, the company was founded there and “will continue to engage constructively on these new rules to support fair outcomes – protecting online safety without compromising privacy.”
As the December 10 deadline approaches, the world is watching as Australia implements this unprecedented legislation. The government’s goal, according to Commissioner Inman Grant, is to give children “valuable time to learn and grow, free from the powerful, invisible forces of opaque algorithms and endless scrolling.” The long-term impact on youth safety, user privacy and the digital landscape remains to be seen.
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