Reddit files constitutional lawsuit against Australia’s teen social media ban

Reddit has filed a lawsuit with Australia’s High Court seeking to overturn the country’s new law that bans social media access for anyone under the age of 16.

The company argues that the restrictions interfere with freedom of political discourse, Reuters reports.

In its filing, Reddit claims the ban violates the Australian Constitution because it infringes on the right to free political communication. The platform also argues that even if the court upholds the law, Reddit should be excluded from its scope, asserting that it does not meet the legal definition of a “social network” outlined in the legislation.

This is the second legal challenge to the ban (the first was filed by two teenagers), but it is the first time a major publicly listed company, valued at 44 billion USD, has taken the government to court over the measure.

A spokesperson for Wells said the government is “on the side of Australian parents and kids, not platforms” and will “stand firm to protect young Australians from experiencing harm on social media.” Health Minister Mark Butler compared Reddit’s actions to tactics once used by tobacco companies to resist regulation, adding that the government “will fight this action every step of the way.”

The ban took effect on 10 December. Platforms that fail to restrict access for minors face fines of up to 49.5 million AUD (approximately 33 million USD).

Australia becomes the first country to impose a full social media ban for under-16s

Australia has enacted a nationwide ban preventing children under 16 from using social media, marking the strictest law of its kind anywhere in the world.

Durov's CodeIgor Savkin