Regulating the future

The internet is about to change.

In December, Australia's new social media age restrictions will come into effect. Just over two weeks later, search engines will also have to check the age of logged in users. It’s the big tech equivalent of being carded at a bar, without the ego boost of feeling youthful.

If you weren’t aware of these pretty remarkable shifts in privacy, you’re not alone. Almost half of Aussie voters aren’t across the upcoming changes to search engines, while almost a quarter aren’t aware of the teen social media ban.

For such significant reform, the lack of public awareness is concerning. We have, of course, been providing every morsel of information about ourselves online for years. But this comes with a tacit acceptance of value exchange: a huge conglomerate knows everything about me; I see a t-shirt I like between baby pics and holiday snaps. The new laws represent a shift. 

Policymakers are racing to keep up with the pace of innovation, but the challenge is not only regulating, but building public understanding.

This week, Australia's Privacy Commissioner found that Kmart broke privacy laws in its collection of customers' data through facial recognition. 

But the Australian Retailers Association responded by saying facial recognition technology was needed to protect people from escalating violence and abuse. Given the new online age checks are designed to protect young people from harmful content, you’d be forgiven for struggling to understand where we draw the line between protection and privacy.

These are complex issues, but it might be helpful to demonstrate consistency and transparency in communicating them. There’ll be a few furrowed brows in December otherwise. Although that would at least help prove you’re old enough to be on the platforms.