Aus govt issues extreme content notices to overseas tech platforms over child safety

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has issued notices to overseas tech companies, giving them less then six months to draft and submit enforceable codes that will prevent children from accessing pornography and violent content on its platforms.

The codes will prevent young children from encountering adult material online, and will apply to app stores and apps; websites – including porn websites; search engines; social media services; hosting services; internet service providers; instant messaging, SMS, chat, multi-player gaming, online dating services; and equipment providers.

“Our own research shows that while the average age when Australian children first encounter pornography is around 13, a third of these children are actually seeing this content younger and often by accident,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.