Australia plans a minimum age limit for social media use

Independent

Australia set to ban social media and gaming platforms for young teens with checks on users’ ages

Australia plans minimum age for social media use, angering digital rights advocates

Australia could bar children from using social media

Australia is expected to pass a law that would fine tech companies up to 5% of their global revenue if they don't block misinformation and disinformation from spreading on their social media platforms.

Reuters

According to the head of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Michell Rowland, speech will be labled mis- or disinformation only if it's "seriously harmful and verifiably false."

According to the agency's website, the law won't give the ACMA powers to delete social media posts directly, but rather force tech platforms to "increase their transparency with Australian users about how they handle misinformation and disinformation."

Infrastructure

This bill is a re-drafting of a law proposed last year that was scrapped over concerns of overreach and free speech violations. That law also had exceptions for both government and politically-authorized content, provisions that have since been taken out.

Semafor

Also in response to criticism, the new law will exclude "reasonable" material for "any academic, artistic, scientific or religious purpose." However, politicians are still voicing concerns over allowing tech companies to decide "what is true and what is false."

Sky News

This comes as the Labor government is also pushing social media age requirements, as well as laws against posting people's personal information online, known as doxing, with penalties of six years in prison—and up to seven if it's intentionally targeting protected groups.

Australia to Fine Tech Companies for Platforming 'Disinformation,'

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Australia to Fine Tech Companies for Platforming 'Disinformation,'

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