Core Viewpoint - Meta is urging the Australian government to reconsider its social media ban for users under 16, following the removal of over 550,000 accounts in one week due to compliance with the new Online Safety Amendment Act 2024 [1][2]. Group 1: Compliance Actions - Meta has removed nearly 550,000 accounts believed to belong to users under 16 from its platforms between December 4 and December 11, with approximately 330,000 accounts on Instagram, 173,500 on Facebook, and nearly 40,000 on Threads [2]. - The company emphasizes its commitment to compliance with the law and is taking necessary steps to ensure adherence [2]. Group 2: Industry Engagement - Meta calls on the Australian government to engage constructively with the industry to find better solutions, such as incentivizing companies to improve safety and privacy standards instead of implementing blanket bans [3]. - The company has collaborated with the OpenAge Initiative to launch age verification tools called Age Keys, allowing users to verify their age through various means [3]. Group 3: Age Verification Concerns - Meta highlights the need for age verification and parental approval to extend to app stores, as teenagers use over 40 apps weekly, many of which do not implement age verification or prioritize safety [4]. - The company argues that consistent, industry-wide protections for young users are essential to prevent the circumvention of the social media ban by migrating to new apps [5].

澳大利亚针对16岁以下人群的社交媒体禁令已于12月10日正式生效。这是全球首例通过立法实施社交媒体最低年龄限制的举措。需要执行禁令 的平台目前共有10家，包括脸书、优兔、X等。未予配合的企业将面临最高4950万澳元（约合2.3亿元人民币）罚款。 11月5日，在澳大利亚悉尼，人们从市政厅门口走过。新华社记者马平摄 尽管社交媒体平台公司抵触该禁令，但民意却持续推高了议题的热度，推动政府和议会加速审议法案。民调机构YouGov 当年8月实施的民调 显示，澳大利亚61%的受访者支持限制16岁以下青少年使用社交媒体。4个月后这一比例增加至77%。两个月后YouGov/ABC News民调再度确 认：超60%的跨党派民众支持限制17岁以下人群使用社交媒体。压力之下，执政党迅速将"禁止未成年人使用社交媒体"从竞选口号转化为立法 行动。 围绕禁令本身存在争议 回溯其立法过程，各方围绕禁令的可行性和有效性存在诸多争议。比如，关于年龄验证问题，禁令实施后，未成年人如果通过借用家长身份信 息、购买虚假账号等方式绕过验证，禁令的效力必定大打折扣。 澳大利亚的做法在国际上引发广泛关注，丹麦、马来西亚、巴西、印度尼西亚和新西兰等国也在考 ...

Roblox Corporation (NYSE:RBLX) on Tuesday said it is preparing to overhaul communication on its platform by introducing age-based chat controls designed to separate younger users from adults.The company says the changes aim to reduce risks for its massive youth audience and create more age-appropriate interactions across the service.New Rules Start In DecemberRoblox has opened its voluntary age estimation system to all users worldwide.Also Read: Par Pacific At All-Time Highs, But Can The Rally Really Hold?B ...

Core Points - Australia has informed digital platforms including Meta, Google, and TikTok to prepare for a social media ban for users under 16, effective December 10 [1][2] - The law is a world-first initiative aimed at protecting minors from harmful online content, posing a challenge for both Australian authorities and tech giants [1] - The legislation has faced opposition from platform operators, who question the reliability of existing age verification technologies [1][2] Group 1 - The electronic safety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has communicated expectations for companies to deactivate accounts held by users under 16 [1] - Companies are required to implement measures to prevent minors from circumventing restrictions through account settings [1] - A government-funded trial concluded that age verification is feasible, indicating no significant technological barriers [1] Group 2 - Approximately 95% of Australians aged 10 to 15 have at least one social media account [2] - Digital platforms, including Snapchat and X, will be responsible for enforcing age restrictions, with violations potentially resulting in fines up to AUD 50 million (USD 33 million) [2] - The Australian government has revoked the initial exemption for YouTube regarding this legislation [2]

Core Viewpoint - Roblox is implementing age-estimation technology to enhance user safety and provide tailored features for users aged 13 and over, coinciding with the launch of its "trusted connections" feature for private chats [1][3][5]. Group 1: Age-Estimation Technology - Users over 13 will be prompted to use facial-analysis software to estimate their age for accessing the new "trusted connections" feature [1]. - The age-screening technology is provided by Persona and is part of compliance with new age-verification laws in several states [2]. - The age-estimation software is optional; users can still verify their age using government-issued ID [7]. Group 2: Trusted Connections Feature - The term "friends" will be replaced with "connections," allowing users to communicate without certain content filters [4]. - Teenagers aged 13-17 must use a QR scan or contact importer tool to add users over 18 as trusted connections [5]. - The feature aims to keep teens and adults engaged on Roblox for open communications rather than moving to other platforms [5]. Group 3: Monitoring and Privacy Tools - The company will continue to monitor conversations for critical harms [6]. - New privacy tools will allow users to track their time spent on Roblox, set daily limits, and manage online status [8]. - Parents can set up linked accounts to monitor their teens' connections and activity on the platform [8]. Group 4: Industry Context - Roblox and Discord are facing legal challenges over allegations related to online safety for minors [9]. - Other platforms, like Reddit, are also adopting age-verification technology to comply with regulations [9].

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Texas law HB 1181, requiring age verification for adult content websites, which may lead to broader age restrictions across various platforms and raise significant privacy concerns [3][5][15] Group 1: Legal Framework - Texas law HB 1181 mandates that websites with at least one-third of their content deemed harmful to minors must implement strict age verification methods, including government-issued ID and biometric data [5] - At least 21 other states are considering similar age verification laws, potentially expanding the impact beyond adult websites to social media and other platforms [5] Group 2: Supreme Court's Ruling - The Supreme Court's decision marks a departure from previous rulings that deemed age verification requirements unconstitutional, indicating a shift in judicial interpretation due to technological advancements [6][8] - The ruling allows for a lower standard of scrutiny for age verification laws, which could lead to more regulations being upheld [8][9] Group 3: Privacy Implications - The requirement for users to submit sensitive personal information raises significant privacy risks, as it creates a database of user preferences and habits that could be exploited [10][11] - Privacy advocates express concerns that the risks associated with age verification are far greater than those of simply showing an ID to purchase alcohol [9][10] Group 4: Challenges and Solutions - The challenge lies in verifying age without leaving a digital footprint that could compromise user privacy [12] - Potential solutions include the development of anonymous age verification systems that use encryption to confirm age without storing identifiable information [12] Group 5: Broader Impact - The ruling may set a precedent for age restrictions on other types of content, raising concerns about government overreach and censorship [13] - The law imposes significant penalties for non-compliance, which could lead companies to over-collect data to avoid fines, further exacerbating privacy risks [14] Group 6: Conclusion - The Supreme Court's ruling opens a new chapter in digital privacy discussions, emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovation to balance compliance with user protection [15]