Google has criticized Australia's forthcoming law prohibiting social media use for those under 16, stating it is "extremely difficult" to enforce. YouTube's government affairs manager, Rachel Lord, expressed concern that the legislation, set to take effect in December, might not effectively enhance online safety for children. Instead of mandatory age verification, the law will rely on AI and behavioral data. The initiative, per Google, overlooks the importance of equipping parents with the right control tools.
Google has criticized Australia's forthcoming law prohibiting social media use for those under 16, stating it is "extremely difficult" to enforce. YouTube's government affairs manager, Rachel Lord, expressed concern that the legislation, set to take effect in December, might not effectively enhance online safety for children. Instead of mandatory age verification, the law will rely on AI and behavioral data. The initiative, per Google, overlooks the importance of equipping parents with the right control tools.