Australia’s Age Verification Law: Privacy Nightmare or Necessary Evil?
Australia’s new age verification legislation aims to shield kids from social media, but it might just leave everyone exposed. With undefined “reasonable steps” and $30 million fines, privacy and anonymity are at risk. The government places its trust in a UK company for tech solutions, but concerns loom for Aussies’ data security.
Hot Take:
Australia’s new age verification law: the ultimate ‘how to’ guide for turning your country into a real-life Black Mirror episode. It’s like putting a padlock on a paper bag and expecting it to protect your privacy. Spoiler alert: it won’t.
Key Points:
- Australia passes the Online Safety Amendment Act 2024 to ban kids under 16 from social media.
- Platforms face hefty fines if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to verify ages.
- Vague law leaves platform bans and age verification methods up to government discretion.
- Biometric scanners and other unreliable tools may be used due to restrictions on government ID use.
- Implementation postponed for a year, but concerns over privacy invasion loom large.
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