Reddit (NASDAQ:RDDT) has taken legal action against Australia’s social media ban on under-16s, arguing it goes against free political discourse.
High-stakes conflict over app ban
On Friday, Reddit challenged Australia’s ban on social media for young teens in the country’s highest court under the new Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) law. The ban, which was introduced two days earlier, is the first of its kind worldwide.
While Reddit, a major platform in Australia, complies with the new law, it says the ban violates the country’s constitutional right to free political communication. The company also argues that it should be exempt from the ban because it does not fit the definition of social media.
The online social forum and community platform, under the r/RedditSafety thread, recognizes the importance of protecting users under the age of 16, but states that the law leads to intrusive and insecure authentication for both minors and adults, limits teens’ participation in age-appropriate communities (including political discussions), and applies inconsistently across platforms. They suggest there are better ways to protect youth, while the SMMA law raises significant privacy and free speech concerns for all internet users.
This legal challenge, which follows a similar challenge from two Australian teenagers representing a libertarian group, significantly escalates the resources involved in the legal battle. A successful outcome for Reddit could potentially pave the way for other platforms to challenge the ban.
During the teens’ first legal challenge, Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells had declared that the government would not be influenced or “intimidated” by Big Tech companies.
See also: Why Doesn’t Bitcoin Go Up After the Fed Cut Rates?
Big Tech is facing heat over the youth ban
Australia’s social media ban on under-16s has been a controversial topic. The measure, which came into effect on Wednesday, was praised by the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a step to make a significant difference for families. However, it has also attracted criticism, with Reddit’s lawsuit being the latest development.
Elon Musk‘s
Previously, Metaplatforms (NASDAQ:META) deactivated Instagram, Facebook and Threads accounts of Australian users under the age of 16, signaling a global push to regulate Big Tech. The move was seen as the “first domino” in a global effort to rein in tech giants.
Price promotion: Year-over-year, Reddit stock rose 40.76%, according to data Benzinga Pro. On Thursday, the stock fell 1.92% to $233.54.
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