CANBERRA, Australia—Private industry stakeholders, including members of the technology and adult entertainment sectors, have submitted draft regulatory codes to implement the age verification requirements set forth by the Australian government and the Online Safety Act.
The codes were submitted to the eSafety Commissioner, the regulatory body mandated to implement the country’s Online Safety Act regulations.
According to the draft regulatory codes, social media and technology companies have up to six months to implement safe design codes and age verification requirements to prevent minors from accessing adult entertainment online. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to $50 million.
This means that draft codes would require social media platforms that allow pornography to prevent access to all minors and to implement age assurance measures.
“eSafety has received from industry [seven] draft Codes intended to protect children from online pornography and other high-impact material, including themes of suicide and serious illness, such as self-harm and disordered eating, across a wide range of online services,” reads a press release by the office of the eSafety Commissioner.
“The first phase focused on addressing the worst-of-the-worst content, including child sexual abuse and pro-terror material,” the statement notes.
Now, eSafety is implementing Phase 2 codes focused “on protecting children from accessing or encountering online pornography and other age-inappropriate content, and on empowering all end-users to manage their online experience.”
Jennifer Duxbury, director of policy and regulatory affairs at digital industry trade group Digi, told The Guardian, “Online spaces and communication tools provide valuable opportunities for children to learn, connect and explore the world.”
