On Tuesday, representatives from Google and Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, called on the Australian government to postpone a proposed bill that would impose a ban on most social media usage for children under the age of 16. They argued that additional time is necessary to evaluate the potential consequences of the legislation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left administration is aiming to have the bill enacted by the end of the parliamentary session on Thursday, which would introduce some of the strictest regulations on minors’ access to social media seen in any country.
The legislation was put forward in parliament last week and allowed for public submissions for just one day.
In their feedback, Google and Meta urged the government to wait for the outcomes of an ongoing trial concerning age verification before proceeding with the bill.
This proposed age-verification framework could incorporate biometrics or government-issued identification to enforce an age limit on social media usage.
Meta commented, “Without these results, neither the industry nor Australians will have a clear understanding of the magnitude or nature of the age assurance demanded by the legislation, nor its potential effects on the populace.” The company added, “In its current state, the bill is inconsistent and ineffective.”
The proposed legislation would place the responsibility for age verification measures squarely on social media companies, rather than parents or children. Noncompliance could result in fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million or approximately Rs. 270 crore).
The opposition Liberal party is anticipated to support the bill; however, some independent lawmakers have criticized the government for hastening the legislative process, which has unfolded in just a week.
A Senate committee tasked with examining communications legislation is set to release its findings on Tuesday.
TikTok, owned by Bytedance, expressed its concerns regarding the lack of clarity in the bill and highlighted significant issues with the government’s intent to push the legislation forward without comprehensive consultations involving experts, social media platforms, mental health organizations, and youth representatives.
“When introducing novel policies, it is crucial that legislation is crafted thoughtfully to achieve its objectives, which has not occurred in the case of this Bill,” TikTok stated.
Elon Musk’s platform, X, raised alarms about the potential infringement on the rights of children and young individuals, particularly regarding their freedom of expression and access to information.
The US billionaire, who is an advocate for free speech, criticized the Australian government’s approach, suggesting that the bill may serve as an indirect method of regulating internet access.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
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