Google and Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, have called on the Australian government to postpone a proposed bill aimed at restricting social media access for children under 16. They argue that additional time is necessary to evaluate the potential ramifications of the legislation.
The bill, which is part of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left government’s agenda, is considered among the strictest regulations concerning children’s social media use implemented by any nation. Albanese’s administration hopes to pass the bill into law before the conclusion of the parliamentary year on Thursday.
Introduced last week, the bill allowed for public submission of opinions for a mere one day.
Both Google and Meta emphasized in their submissions that the government should wait for the completion of an age-verification trial before moving forward with the legislation.
This age-verification system may incorporate biometrics or government identification to establish an age limit for social media usage.
Meta noted, “Without these results, neither the industry nor Australians will grasp the nature or extent of age assurance needed by the bill, nor will they understand the consequences of implementing such measures.” They further criticized the bill for being “inconsistent and ineffective.”
The proposed law would shift the responsibility of age-verification onto social media platforms rather than parents or children. Companies could face fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately $32 million or Rs. 270 crore) for significant violations.
While the opposition Liberal party is anticipated to lend its support to the bill, some independent lawmakers have expressed concerns that the government is hastily advancing the legislative process.
A Senate committee overseeing communications legislation is set to release its report on Tuesday.
TikTok, owned by Bytedance, has voiced its objections, stating that the bill lacks clarity and raises “significant concerns,” particularly regarding the government’s push to pass it without extensive consultation with experts, social media companies, mental health advocates, and young individuals.
The platform stated, “When innovative policies are proposed, it is crucial that legislation is drafted thoughtfully to ensure that it meets its intended goals. Unfortunately, this has not occurred with this bill.”
Elon Musk’s X platform also expressed worries about the bill’s potential negative implications for the human rights of children and young people, specifically regarding their rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
The billionaire entrepreneur criticized the Australian government last week, suggesting that the legislation appears to serve as a covert method for restricting internet access.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
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