Reddit files appeal against social media ban for minors in Australia

The country this week became the first in the world to ban children and teenagers from accessing a number of popular apps and websites, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X.

Technology companies that do not comply with the legislation, considered historic, They face fines equivalent to 33 million US dollars.

The documents presented in court by the American Reddit question the validity of the new regulation, since it “infringes the implicit freedom of political communication”, and request its review by the Supreme Court of Australia.

The lawsuit also argues that the company should be exempt from Canberra’s list of banned platforms, claiming it is an online discussion forum aimed at adults.

“Unlike other platforms included in this law, The vast majority of Reddit users are adults, we do not market or advertise to children under 18 years of age.”the company stated in a statement.

A Reddit spokesperson stated that age verification by platforms raises serious privacy concernsas the collection of personal data carries the risk of leaks or hacking.

Reddit criticized the law for “missing the mark on protecting young people online.”

“While we will comply with this law, we have a responsibility to share our perspective and ensure that it is reviewed by the courts,” he said.

This virtual forum, made up of thousands of specialized communities, has already had warned on the eve of the veto’s entry into force on December 10 that the government’s measure was “legally erroneous.”

It is not the only technology company that condemns the ban: Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, also expressed concern that teenagers could flock to darker, less regulated corners of the internet. looking for connection with their peers.

An Australian government spokesperson said Friday that authorities are “on the side of Australian parents and children, not the platforms.”

The Reddit case is separate from one brought by an online rights group early last month, which also seeks to overturn the legislation as an “unfair” attack on free speech.