Australia Drafts Rules to Protect Kids Online Data

Australia's privacy regulator has introduced draft rules aimed at significantly enhancing the online protections for children. The proposed Children's Online Privacy Code mandates that online services, including apps and streaming platforms, must act in a child's best interests.

This initiative grants children a new right to demand the permanent deletion of their personal information. Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind noted that substantial data is collected about children by the age of 13, potentially exposing them to risks like data breaches and targeted advertising.

The code represents a major expansion of online safeguards for minors since the social media age ban was enacted last year. It emphasizes the critical importance of protecting children's rights as they navigate the digital world.