This text discusses recent developments in Australia’s online safety regulations, focusing on age-restricted social media platforms and industry codes. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
1. Online Safety (Age Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules 2025:
eSafety’s Recommendations: The eSafety Commissioner has provided feedback on the draft Rules, suggesting five key changes to improve clarity, reduce the risk of disallowance, ease compliance and enforcement, and better protect children.
Key Recommendations:
Remove YouTube: eSafety recommends that YouTube be excluded from the draft rules.
Explanatory Statement Guidance: The explanatory statement should offer guidance to clarify the Australian Government’s intentions.
Purpose and Risk Alignment: The draft Rules should be amended to consider both the service’s purpose and its risk of harm.
2. Preliminary findings of the Australian Government’s Age Assurance Technology Trial:
No Substantial Technological Limitations: The trial found no significant technological barriers to using age assurance systems for age-related eligibility requirements.
Security and Consistency: The systems tested were generally secure and met information security standards, with developers actively addressing vulnerabilities like AI-generated spoofing.
Over-Anticipation of Regulator Needs: A concern was raised that, without clear guidance, service providers might be over-anticipating future regulatory demands for personal information during investigations.
Media Commentary: There has been media discussion about the amount of data released in the preliminary findings. The final report is expected later in the year.
3. Phase 2 Industry Codes:
Existing Phase 1 Codes: Six Phase 1 industry codes are already in place, covering social media, app distribution, hosting, internet carriage, equipment providers, and search engines. Two industry standards also exist for electronic and internet services.
Phase 2 Objectives: The goal of phase 2 codes is to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate material online and to provide users with tools and information to limit their exposure.
Industry Submissions and Updates: Industry associations submitted eight Phase 2 codes in February/March 2025, which were updated in May 2025 after eSafety provided feedback that the initial submissions wouldn’t meet community safeguard requirements.
Registered Phase 2 Codes: As of June 27, 2025, eSafety registered three Phase 2 industry codes:
Hosting Services
Internet Search Engine Services
(The third code is not fully specified in the provided text, but it’s implied to be another category of service).
In essence, Australia is actively working to strengthen its online safety framework, notably concerning children’s access to age-inappropriate content. This involves refining regulations for social media platforms and implementing new industry codes, while also exploring the practicalities of age assurance technologies.
