The prime minister has vowed not to be intimidated by Google, as the tech giant threatens to sue over the government’s decision to ban YouTube for children under 16.
Children and teenagers will be barred from logging in to YouTube under the incoming social media ban for under 16s after the government reversed its plan to grant the video sharing site an exemption.
Rules of how the ban will operate are set to be presented to Australian parliament on Wednesday, including details of the types of platforms that will not be captured, such as those primarily concerned with gaming, messaging, health and education.
It comes days after Google, the parent company of YouTube, threatened legal action if the government scrapped its previously flagged exemption on the basis of the platform’s educational uses.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has issued a blunt retort to Google.
“We can’t control the ocean, but we can police the sharks, and that is why we will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the wellbeing of Australian kids,” Ms Wells said.
Flanked by parents whose children had died as a consequence of bullying on social media, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would also be promoting Australia’s social media ban on the sidelines of the next major United Nations Conference for the future in New York in September.
Well if google and utube sues Aus Gov for their social media ban in a law suit as I understand USA got a amendment for free speech as their laws are very different to countries like UK and AUS…..
Google and Utube could include in their law suit case a clauses stating that “All legal fees incurred to defend their ban a via you lawyers should not be passed off to the taxpayer by using the public funds of AUS
But are dues are to paid off by ALL Aus government MPs or Senators bank accounts own accounts who support the social media ban decision!!!
If their personal $$$$ in their bank accounts take a hit for this decision maybe they will be forced to back down!!!