SYDNEY: Message board website Reddit on Friday filed a lawsuit asking the High Court to overturn Australia’s social media ban for people under 16 as well as its inclusion in it, calling the law an infringement of free political expression.
The US-listed firm, which has operations in Australia, called the ban “invalid on the ground that it infringes the implied freedom of political communication,” in a court filing signed by its lawyers, Perry Herzfeld and Jackson Wherrett.
The filing named the Commonwealth of Australia and Communications Minister Anika Wells as defendants. A spokesperson for Wells was not immediately available for comment, although the Australian government has said it is ready to fight any legal challenges to the law.
Two days earlier, Australia went live with the world’s first legally enforced age minimum to access social media. Reddit and nine other platforms, including Meta’s Instagram, Alphabet’s YouTube and TikTok campaigned against the measure for more than a year before ultimately saying they would comply.
The platforms are required to bar underage users or face a fine of up to A$49.5 million , while underage users and their caregivers do not face punishment. Platforms say they are using measures like age inference, based on a person’s online activity, and age estimation, based on a selfie, to follow the rule.
But the law “carries some serious privacy and political expression issues for everyone on the Internet,” Reddit said in a statement published alongside its court filing. “So, we are filing an application to have the law reviewed.” The lawsuit makes a second High Court challenge to the ban. Last month, two teenagers backed by an Australian libertarian state lawmaker filed a challenge which has a hearing in February.
Reddit has no plans to join other parties challenging the ban, a person familiar with the situation said.
Reddit files lawsuit against Australia’s social media ban
https://arab.news/m9837
Reddit files lawsuit against Australia’s social media ban
First lady Melania Trump to preview new film at private White House screening
- Film offers rare behind-the-scenes access to Melania Trump
- First lady to ring NYSE opening bell to promote film
WASHINGTON: First lady Melania Trump will host a private White House screening on Saturday of a new film documenting her life in the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, an adviser said.
The movie, “Melania,” is set for a global release on January 30. Saturday’s showing will be the first time the president, her family and close friends see the film in full, said Marc Beckman, the first lady’s outside adviser and agent.
The film offers rare behind-the-scenes access to the first lady, who has kept a low public profile during her husband’s second term. The trailer opens on Inauguration Day in January 2025, showing her donning a navy wide-brimmed hat for the ceremony at the US Capitol. It also depicts her role as an adviser to the president, including a moment in which she encourages him to emphasize “peacemaker and unifier” in his inaugural address.
Beckman, who produced the film, oversaw the $40 million movie deal with Amazon’s MGM Studios, plus a follow-up documentary series set for release later this year focusing on some of Melania Trump’s priorities, including children in foster care.
“This is not a political film at all,” Beckman said in an interview, adding that the first lady spearheaded the film’s creative direction.
The movie highlights her fashion choices, diplomatic engagements and the operations surrounding her Secret Service protection. Beckman said viewers also will see moments that capture the president’s sense of humor.
Ahead of the public theatrical release of the film next week, the president and first lady will attend a premiere on Thursday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center by the Trump-appointed board of directors.
The first lady is also scheduled to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday to promote the film, Beckman added.
