Reddit Raps Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban
Online forum Reddit has filed a lawsuit in Australia’s High Court challenging the country’s ban on social media use for children under the age of 16. Citing Reuters, Reddit has described the law as unconstitutional and an unwarranted interference with freedom of political expression. The report was also carried by Engadget.
Reddit has further argued that, under the legal definition, it does not qualify as a social media platform and therefore should not be included under the scope of the ban. Analysts believe the case could trigger a prolonged legal battle, given Reddit’s significant user base in Australia.
The age-based restriction—the first of its kind globally—came into effect on December 10. Under the law, 10 platforms, including Reddit, are required to prevent access by underage users or face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million. Authorities are using various age-verification methods, including selfies and behavior-based estimations.
Reddit, however, claims these measures pose serious risks to user privacy and freedom of political expression. In contrast, the Australian government has accused Reddit of filing the lawsuit not to protect children’s rights, but to safeguard its commercial interests.
Notably, Australia is Reddit’s fourth-largest market, following Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
DBTech/BMT/OR
