Tech companies including WhatsApp and Reddit, as well as streaming giant Twitch and gaming company Roblox, may be one of more than a dozen sites in Australia’s under-16 social media ban, the country’s regulator said on Wednesday.
The Ban-a world has first included platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, Tiktok and YouTube.
However, the head of Australian ESAFETY Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has written to 16 other companies to “self-assess” whether it is a ban responsibility.
The list also includes Pinterest as well as LEGO Games, streaming company kicks and gaming platform Steam.
If the company believes it should be exempted from the ban, a case needs to be raised ABC explain.
Inman Grant told the network that while some of the situations are “very clear”, regulators will “give them the due diligence process.”
“We need to hear all of them,” she said.
The regulator said initially it will focus on the platform with the highest number of users at higher risk of hazards.
Australia has been the leader in global efforts to prevent the harm of the Internet, but the current legislation provides little detail on how the ban will be implemented – attracting the attention of experts that it will be just a symbolic unenforceable legislation.
The ESAFETY committee will be able to fine social media companies that do not comply with the rules to $49.5 million ($32.6 million).
Social media companies describe the law as “ambiguous,” “problem,” and “rush.”
Canberra has been working to determine how the platform can verify the age of users.
This month, Communications Minister Anika Wells admitted that businesses need to self-regulate.
An independent study ordered by the Australian government this month found that age checks can be performed “privately, effectively” although it acknowledged that no solution is suitable for all situations.
The regulator also introduced a number of rules that came into force in Australia over the next few months to protect children from “legitimate but terrible” content, including online porn and AI chatbots, capable of sexually clear conversations.
This month, Roblox agreed to curb the risk of adults modifying children on their Australian platform.
