Reddit and Kick are the latest platforms to be added to Australia’s age-restricted social media list.
The law, effective December 10, will fine platforms up to A$50 million for failing to block users under the age of 16 from accessing their content. However, critics fear the age verification methods required will compromise the data privacy of all Australian users.
Privacy concerns and circumvention
The impending ban has sparked significant debate, particularly over how platforms will enforce the age restrictions. Critics have raised serious privacy concerns, arguing that the methods required to verify a user’s age could compromise the data of all Australians, not just children.
The law requires companies to implement age-assurance 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 every single user, but must take “reasonable steps” to detect and remove those under 16. However, the ambiguity of what constitutes “reasonable steps” has left tech companies concerned about compliance.
The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has indicated this will be a “dynamic list,” with more services potentially added as technology evolves.
Furthermore, questions remain about the law’s effectiveness in a globalised digital world.
In other countries where platform-specific bans have been implemented, tech-savvy users often turn to tools like the best VPN to circumvent 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 gates.
An evolving digital landscape
The inclusion of Reddit, a sprawling forum with diverse communities, and Kick, a popular livestreaming service known for its gambling content, highlights the challenge regulators face.
While some platforms like Discord, Roblox, and WhatsApp are currently excluded, the eSafety Commissioner has made it clear that assessments are ongoing.
A spokesperson for Kick told Channel News Asia that while Australia is a small market, the company was founded there and will “continue engaging 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 to see how 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 of the powerful, unseen forces of opaque algorithms and endless scroll.” The long-term impact on youth safety, user privacy, and the digital landscape remains to be seen.
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