INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Australia passed a law on Thursday to prohibit social media for children aged under 16 after days of heated debate, setting a standard for
other nations to follow in a worldwide push to curb the power of Big Tech.The law, expected to work in November 2025, sets some of the most
difficult social media controls in the world and will force platforms to take affordable actions to guarantee age-verification securities
are in place.After a parliamentary session that entered into the night, the nations Senate, or upper home of parliament, voted to pass the
law after the centre-left Labor federal government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese won support from the conservative opposition.The
Senates approval for the law is the last legislative obstacle after the lower house, or House of Representatives, passed the costs on
Wednesday.Albanese, attempting to raise his approval rankings ahead of an election anticipated in May, had argued that social media
positioned threats to the physical and psychological health of children and is trying to find assistance from parents.Australia plans to
trial an age-verification system that may consist of biometrics or government recognition to implement the ban
The trial will run for numerous months and its findings would be examined by mid-2025
Under the law, business could be fined approximately A$ 49.5 million ($32 million) for breaches.In submissions to parliament, Alphabets
Google and Meta stated the ban needs to be delayed till the age-verification trial finishes, anticipated in mid-2025
Bytedances TikTok said the expense required more consultation, while Elon Musks X argued the proposed law may hurt kids human rights.A
Senate committee backed the expense today, but likewise inserted a condition that social media platforms must not force users to send
personal data such as passport and other digital identification to prove their age.Source: Reuters-- Agencies
