Australian ePrivacy Chief Unveils Industry-Led Codes Boosting Kids Online Protection
Australia published six industry-developed codes to protect children from harmful and age-inappropriate content and "represent a significant lift of the industry’s responsibilities under Australia’s Online Safety Act," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Tuesday.
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The codes apply to a wide range of online services and platforms such as app stores, gaming services, porn websites, generative AI services and AI companion chatbots, equipment makers and suppliers, the watchdog said. Also covered are social media services.
The codes introduce obligations that will require more sectors of the online industry to promote child safety. Among other things, the codes require all services to comply with Australian privacy laws.
For example, app stores must implement age-assurance measures before allowing users to download or purchase apps rated as 18+, the office said. Pornography sites and other services whose purposes include distributing porn will also need to use age-assurance technologies, it said.
The codes will be enforced by Australia's privacy commissioner.