Reddit is arguing it's a 'collection of public fora' and not a social media company. Here's why.

Core Argument - A new Australian law prohibits children under 16 from opening or maintaining social media accounts, prompting Reddit to argue that it is not a social media platform and seeks to overturn the law [1][2]. Company Position - Reddit filed a lawsuit against the Australian government, claiming the law infringes on the implied freedom of political communication and contests its classification as an "age-restricted social media platform" [2][3]. - The company asserts that it operates as a collection of public forums rather than a platform for social interaction, emphasizing that users often remain anonymous and do not know each other's real identities [3][4]. Features and Functionality - Reddit does not import contact lists or address books, and its upvote/downvote system is designed to evaluate information rather than the users themselves, distinguishing it from traditional social media platforms [4]. - Founded in 2005, Reddit allows users to post and reply on various topics through "subreddits," with the option for users to communicate via direct messages while primarily maintaining anonymity [4]. Financial Context - Reddit went public in 2024 with a valuation of $6.4 billion, indicating its significant market presence [5]. Industry Response - The new law has faced criticism from other companies, including TikTok's parent company ByteDance and Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, highlighting broader industry concerns regarding age verification processes [6]. - Reddit expressed that the law could lead to intrusive verification processes affecting both adults and minors, potentially isolating teens from engaging in community experiences, including political discussions [7]. Global Trends - Other countries are also considering similar restrictions on social media use among young people, with Malaysia planning to implement a ban for children under 16 in 2026, and proposals in Norway and Denmark for children under 15 [8]. - In the U.S., the Kids Off Social Media Act has been introduced to prevent children under 13 from creating accounts and restrict algorithmic targeting for those under 17 [9].