USA (Washington Insider Magazine) – Australia has issued a six-month ultimatum to the internet industry, requiring the development of an enforceable code to prevent children from accessing pornography and other harmful materials online. If the industry fails to meet this deadline, a regulatory code will be imposed.
The eSafety Commissioner has formally requested that industry stakeholders submit a plan by October 3 detailing how they will shield minors from high-impact content, including themes related to suicide and eating disorders. This initiative aims to establish standards across various platforms, such as app stores, pornography and dating websites, search engines, social media networks, chat services, and multiplayer gaming platforms.
“Parents and caregivers are understandably concerned about children’s exposure to violent and extreme pornography,” stated eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant. “However, the responsibility cannot rest solely on them; the industry must implement effective barriers as well.”
This initiative marks the beginning of a second phase in the regulatory oversight of industry codes, which have previously addressed issues such as the dissemination of terrorism-related content and child sexual exploitation.
Potential measures outlined in the forthcoming code may include age verification systems, default parental controls, and software solutions that filter or obscure inappropriate sexual content.
Representatives from major tech companies are responding to the call for action. A spokesperson for Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, indicated that the company is committed to collaborating closely with the industry to develop the new code. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, affirmed that they are actively engaging with the eSafety Commissioner.
While representatives from X (formerly Twitter) and Apple were unavailable for immediate comment, DIGI, an industry body representing major internet companies, expressed its eagerness to continue collaborating with the government and the eSafety Commissioner on this important initiative.
