In a bid to bolster privacy protections, Australia’s Minister for Justice, Mark Dreyfus, has introduced a proposal for a children’s online privacy code. This initiative aims to impose strict regulations on how personal data of children is collected, stored, and used by major technology companies.
The proposal has garnered strong support from human rights and child advocacy groups. Hye Jung Han of Human Rights Watch highlighted the importance of this step:
“Australia’s commitment to developing a children’s online privacy code is a crucial first move in safeguarding children and their interests. Full safeguards must be built to ensure that children can learn, grow, and play safely online, just as they do in the physical world.”
Similarly, Katie Maskiell from UNICEF expressed her support for the initiative:
“This code will ensure that children’s data is collected and used in ways that prioritize their interests, while providing the essential protections they deserve. It will also hold tech companies accountable, requiring transparency about how children’s data is used and ensuring that the terms of service for apps are clear and easy to understand.”
There is a growing consensus that these legislative changes are urgently needed. The current privacy laws, which have not kept pace with technological advancements for the past 35 years, are now considered outdated. The new regulations are expected to enhance the protection of children online, ensuring that tech companies operate with greater responsibility and transparency.
