CANBERRA, Australia - Australia wants to make social media companies seek parental consent for users younger than 16 years old or face fines of 10 million Australian dollars ($7.5 million) under a draft law released Monday.The landmark legislation aims "to ensure that Australia's privacy laws remain fit for purpose in the digital age," a government statement said.
It would create a binding code that would require companies to take all reasonable steps to verify their users’ ages for social media services, data brokers and other large online platforms operating in the country.The proposed legislation, called the Online Privacy Bill, would also give primary consideration to the best interests of children when handling their personal.