SYDNEY: WhatsApp and Reddit, together with streaming big Twitch and gaming platform Roblox, might be amongst greater than a dozen websites added to Australia’s social media ban for under-16s, the nation’s regulator mentioned on Wednesday (Sep 24).
Platforms similar to Fb, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube had been already included within the ban – a world-first.
However the head of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has written to 16 extra corporations to “self-assess” whether or not they fall below the ban’s remit.
The listing additionally included Pinterest in addition to Lego Play, streaming firm Kick and gaming platform Steam.
Firms might want to make a case in the event that they consider their platform ought to be exempt from the ban, the nationwide broadcaster ABC mentioned.
Inman Grant instructed the community that whereas some instances had been “fairly clear”, the regulator would “give them the due diligence course of”.
“We have to hear all of them out,” she mentioned.
The regulator mentioned it should initially deal with platforms with the best variety of customers, the place there are larger dangers of hurt.
A Roblox spokesperson insisted the platform was not a social media firm and subsequently didn’t qualify for the ban.
“We prohibit customers from importing real-world photographs or video, or re-sharing information, and we don’t provide social media feeds inside experiences in Australia,” the spokesperson instructed AFP.
“We accomplished the self-assessment course of and communicated to eSafety that our place stays that we’re an exempted on-line gaming platform,” they added.
