Communications minister says laws forcing social media companies to keep under-16s off their platforms are about ‘protecting young people’. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe controversial ban on social media for under-16s will be introduced into parliament today, and will be accompanied by a proposal to massively increase fines on social media companies which breach the legislation – up to $50m.
Communications minister Michelle Rowland’s office sprinkled out some sparing details of the legislation overnight.
“This reform is about protecting young people and letting parents know we’ve got their backs,” Rowland said in some provided remarks.
“The legislation places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place.”
The government might try to push this through before parliament rises at the end of next week, with the support of the opposition leader Peter Dutton who wants it passed before Christmas. But Nationals senator Matt Canavan said yesterday the bill should get a proper Senate committee process and not be rushed through.
We understand the legislation will require regulated companies to take “reasonable steps” to prevent young people from having a social media account. What’s a regulated entity, you might ask? Well the minister will also get the power to exclude specific classes of services from those rules too, which could include messaging services, online games and services for health or education.
Tech companies will also be subject to privacy provisions, including obligations to protect and destroy any data they collect.
The government had flagged plans to boost penalties available under existing legislation, saying the current rules didn’t do enough to force big tech to take notice. We understand the new legislation will increase penalties up to $50m for systematic breaches of the rules.
Not mentioned overnight, but what we’ll be eagerly anticipating details on, is how the government thinks tech companies can enforce those rules, and how they will apply to all Australians. Communications department officials have already told Senate estimates that essentially all Australians will have to undergo some kind of age assurance or verification, in order to make sure those under 16 aren’t on those platforms – but the government hasn’t been forthcoming on that issue yet.
We’re also interested to know what data will have to be provided to tech companies, and how they’ll keep it safe.Good morning and welcome to our live politics blog. This is Martin Farrer, bringing you the top overnight stories and then it will be Emily Wind in the hot seat. Continue reading…
Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2024/nov/21/australia-politics-live-social-media-ban-woolworths-strike-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-labor-coalition-question-time
Author : Martin Farrer
Publish date : 2024-11-20 19:53:25
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