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eSafety Threatens Enforcement
Australia's eSafety Commissioner announced formal investigations into five platforms for potential non-compliance.
“The regulator said it had identified a number of poor practices from the five platforms”
The regulator identified a number of poor practices.
eSafety is moving into an enforcement stance.
Platforms Facilitate Repeat Age Claims
Children who declared they were under 16 were given the chance to show they were over 16.
Under-16s were enabled to repeatedly attempt the same age assurance method.
The government has put social media giants on notice.
Fines Up to $49.5 Million Possible
Enforcement action could lead to fines of up to $49.5 million per breach.
“The evidence must establish the platform has not taken reasonable steps to prevent children aged under 16 from having an account”
Some platforms plan to use AI tools to estimate ages.
Malaysia, France, and New Zealand eye similar measures.
Global Attention on Australia's Law
Australia's minimum age social media law is the first of its kind.
The law requires platforms to verify all users are 16 or older.
There are ineffective pathways for parents to report underage users.