The streaming giant Twitch is now on the Australian ban list and will be forced to exclude all users under the age of 16, the country’s internet regulatory agency reported this Friday, 21st.
From December 10th, Australia begins forcing social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, to remove users under the age of 16.
In case of infringement, platforms are subject to fines that can reach almost 28 million euros (49.5 million Australian dollars).
The Australian government agency for electronic security has declared that the American company Twitch, which began as a platform for video game streamers but now hosts live broadcasts of various genres, meets the criteria to be banned.
The platform includes “features designed to encourage user interaction, particularly through live content”, specifies the regulator.
The websites Pinterest, LegoPlay and Whatsapp escaped the ban, but other platforms are still being analyzed.
Twitch claims that around 70% of its users are between 18 and 34 years old, but does not disclose how many are younger. The platform does not allow users under 13 years of age.
Tech companies have criticized this new law, describing it as “vague, problematic and hasty”.
The Australian measure, one of the strictest in the world, is being analyzed by other countries seeking to regulate access to these platforms.