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Reddit launches High Court challenge to Australia's social media ban for kids
Reddit argues the law infringes free political communication and raises privacy risks, while it complies and seeks review to exclude itself from the under-16 social media ban.
- On Wednesday, US-based Reddit filed a challenge in the High Court of Australia seeking to overturn the world-first social media ban for under-16s under the Online Safety Amendment Act 2024, affecting 10 social media platforms.
- Reddit argues the Online Safety Amendment Act 2024 unconstitutionally restricts political communication by blocking young Australians and raises privacy risks including government ID and facial scans.
- Seeking court orders, Reddit asks to restrain Communications Minister Anika Wells from designating it age-restricted and says it never collected ages before building new age-verification systems.
- A directions hearing is expected in February, with a final judgment potentially late 2026, while two Australian teenagers backed by Digital Freedom Project secured a special hearing last week; Communications Minister Anika Wells said, `We will not be intimidated by big tech.`
- As the law is watched internationally, Australia is the first to deny parental approval and set a higher age limit of 16, while experts warn children may circumvent checks or move to less safe sites.
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They Want Your Children: Reddit Files Legal Challenge Against Australia's Teenager Social Media Ban
Reddit has launched a legal battle against Australia's world-leading ban on social media for users under the age of 16, filing a case in the high court just two days after the country implemented age restrictions on its platform.
·United States
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Reddit challenges Australia youth social media ban
The social media platform Reddit challenged Australia’s under-16s social media ban on Friday in the country’s High Court, two days after implementing age restrictions on its website. The legal action seeks a judicial review of Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) law, which took effect on December 10. While Reddit states it is complying with the ban, it argues the legislation is overbroad, infringes on adult privacy and free expression, a…
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Leaning Left45Leaning Right33Center36Last UpdatedBias Distribution39% Left
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39% Left
L 39%
C 32%
R 29%
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