Tech mogul claps back at Anthony Albanese after announcing this bill
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In a world where social media has been used by almost everyone in the world, the Australian government's latest move to regulate its use among children has sparked a fiery debate.
The conversation took an unexpected turn when tech mogul Elon Musk weighed in, delivering a sharp critique that has sent ripples through the internet.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's announcement of a bill that would require Australians to be over 16 to use many popular social media apps, including Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and X (a platform owned by Musk), has been met with mixed reactions.
Musk, who has been vocal about his stance on free speech and the open internet, took to social media to express his concerns.
'Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians,' Musk said.
Musk's comments come at a time when the balance between protecting young internet users and preserving digital freedoms is being hotly contested.
The tech billionaire, who famously acquired X (formerly known as Twitter) in 2022, has been dubbed 'First Buddy' due to his rapport with United States President-elect Donald Trump.
The proposed ban has raised practical questions about its enforcement, with Greens senator David Shoebridge inquiring in a Senate Committee hearing whether it would necessitate age verification for all Australian social media users.
The response from James Chisolm, Deputy Secretary of Communications and Media, was a simple 'yes’.
The government has assured that tech companies would be prohibited from retaining information collected during the verification process, but concerns about privacy and data security persist.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has defended the bill, stating that it aims to redefine the role of social media in Australian society, particularly for the younger generation.
‘This bill seeks to set a new normative value in society that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia,' she said.
'There is wide acknowledgement that something must be done in the immediate term to help prevent young teens and children from being exposed to streams of unfiltered content.’
As the details of the ban continue to be hashed out in Parliament, tech companies are being put on notice. Those that fail to comply with the new regulations could face hefty fines of up to $50 million.
The legislation, if passed, would give platforms a year to establish and implement age verification processes.
Certain services, such as Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom, and YouTube, are expected to be exempt from the ban or considered ‘out-of-scope services’.
Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman has accused social media companies that they had ‘ 'abrogated their responsibility to care about Australian children' for too long.
'We look forward to working constructively on this legislation with a view to seeing it passed through the parliament next week,' he said.
The eSafety Commissioner's office has highlighted the importance of age assurance but also calls for a comprehensive approach.
'We must also continue working to ensure online services are safe by design and to build children's digital literacy, resilience and critical reasoning skills so that when they are of age to use these services...they are equipped for the online world,' it said.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has voiced concerns about the potential human rights implications of the ban on young people, pointing to the need for a balanced approach that safeguards children without unduly restricting their freedoms.
What are your thoughts on this contentious issue? Do you agree with Musk's perspective, or do you believe the government's proposed ban is a necessary step to protect children? Share your views with us in the comments below.
The conversation took an unexpected turn when tech mogul Elon Musk weighed in, delivering a sharp critique that has sent ripples through the internet.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's announcement of a bill that would require Australians to be over 16 to use many popular social media apps, including Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and X (a platform owned by Musk), has been met with mixed reactions.
Musk, who has been vocal about his stance on free speech and the open internet, took to social media to express his concerns.
Elon Musk replied to Anthony Albanese’s announcement of a bill on restricting social media to children under 16. Credit: @elonmusk / Twitter and @albomp / Instagram
'Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians,' Musk said.
Musk's comments come at a time when the balance between protecting young internet users and preserving digital freedoms is being hotly contested.
The tech billionaire, who famously acquired X (formerly known as Twitter) in 2022, has been dubbed 'First Buddy' due to his rapport with United States President-elect Donald Trump.
The proposed ban has raised practical questions about its enforcement, with Greens senator David Shoebridge inquiring in a Senate Committee hearing whether it would necessitate age verification for all Australian social media users.
The response from James Chisolm, Deputy Secretary of Communications and Media, was a simple 'yes’.
The government has assured that tech companies would be prohibited from retaining information collected during the verification process, but concerns about privacy and data security persist.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has defended the bill, stating that it aims to redefine the role of social media in Australian society, particularly for the younger generation.
‘This bill seeks to set a new normative value in society that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia,' she said.
'There is wide acknowledgement that something must be done in the immediate term to help prevent young teens and children from being exposed to streams of unfiltered content.’
As the details of the ban continue to be hashed out in Parliament, tech companies are being put on notice. Those that fail to comply with the new regulations could face hefty fines of up to $50 million.
The legislation, if passed, would give platforms a year to establish and implement age verification processes.
Certain services, such as Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom, and YouTube, are expected to be exempt from the ban or considered ‘out-of-scope services’.
Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman has accused social media companies that they had ‘ 'abrogated their responsibility to care about Australian children' for too long.
'We look forward to working constructively on this legislation with a view to seeing it passed through the parliament next week,' he said.
The eSafety Commissioner's office has highlighted the importance of age assurance but also calls for a comprehensive approach.
'We must also continue working to ensure online services are safe by design and to build children's digital literacy, resilience and critical reasoning skills so that when they are of age to use these services...they are equipped for the online world,' it said.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has voiced concerns about the potential human rights implications of the ban on young people, pointing to the need for a balanced approach that safeguards children without unduly restricting their freedoms.
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