Australia PM plays down privacy fears of social media ban for children
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference at the Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, June 17, 2024. Lukas Coch/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday social media firms would be required to destroy personal data used to verify ages of users, as part of what the government says is a world-leading ban on under-16s using the services.
Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics or government identification to enforce a social media age cut-off, some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date.
âThere will be very strong and strict privacy requirements to protect peopleâs personal information, including an obligation to destroy information provided once age has been verified,â Albanese told parliament on Monday.
The laws would impact Meta Platformsâ (META.O) Instagram and Facebook, Bytedanceâs TikTok and Elon Muskâs X and Snapchat (SNAP.N).
They have been criticised by figures including Musk, who said on Friday the legislation was a backdoor attempt to control access to the internet for all Australians.
The proposals are the highest age limit set by any country, and would have no exemption for parental consent and no exemption for pre-existing accounts. Platforms face fines of up to $32 million for failing to comply with the legislation.
The government has said it aims to pass the bill into law by the end of the parliamentary year on Thursday, fast-tracking it through the upper and lower houses of parliament
Source: ww.reuters.com
Read Next
November 25, 2024
Britain, NATO must stay ahead in ânew AI arms raceâ, says UK minister
November 25, 2024
US plans to reduce Intelâs $8.5 billion federal chips grant below $8 billion â New York Times
November 25, 2024
Cyberattacks cost British businesses $55 billion in past five years, broker says
November 25, 2024
South Korea prosecutors seek 5-yr jail term for Samsung Elec chief in appeals case
November 25, 2024
French government offers to buy Atosâ advanced computing activities
November 22, 2024
Suspected China-linked hack on US telecoms worst in nationâs history, senator says
November 22, 2024
Kioxiaâs market value set at $4.9 billion in IPO
November 22, 2024
Northvolt CEO steps down, says group needs up to $1.2 bln
November 22, 2024
Bitcoin at record highs, sets sights on $100,000
November 21, 2024
Chinaâs Baidu posts 3% fall in third-quarter revenue, meeting market view
