[LINK] ID checks for social media accounts?

[Stephen Loosley]

Federal Government considers ID checks to ban anonymous social media accounts including Facebook and Tinder

PerthNow  April 2, 2021 5:06PM https://www.perthnow.com.au/technology/internet/federal-government-considers-id-checks-to-ban-anonymous-social-media-accounts-including-facebook-and-tinder-ng-b881837587z


Australians may be forced to prove who they are before creating social media accounts online, in a bid to crackdown on high-tech harassment and abuse.

Under radical reforms being considered by the Federal Government, Australians may have to submit 100 points of identification — such as a driver’s licence or passport — before setting up a social media account.

Under the proposed reforms, Australians could not create or maintain a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter page until they could prove their identity.

Online dating services like Tinder and Bumble would also need to verify users, in a bid to crackdown on people making anonymous accounts.

It’s hoped the reforms will stamp out bullying, trolling, harassment, stalking and abuse online.

The measures, if introduced, would make people liable for defamation or even criminal prosecution for their activity online — something that has previously been difficult to prosecute.

“In order to open or maintain an existing social media account, customers should be required by law to identify themselves to a platform using 100 points of identification, in the same way as a person must provide identification for a mobile phone account, or to buy a mobile SIM card,’ a parliamentary committee’s report says.

“Social media platforms must provide those identifying details when requested by the eSafety Commissioner, law enforcement or as directed by a court.

“The Government should consider regulating to enable law enforcement agencies to access a platform’s end-to-end encrypted data, by warrant, in matters involving a threat to the physical or mental wellbeing of an individual or in cases of national security.

“There should be a substantial increase in criminal and civil penalties for technology-facilitated abuse to act as a greater deterrent for errant behaviour.’’

Australians are currently not required to prove their identity on most online platforms, but ‘verify’ an account through an email address or phone number.

Dating accounts, like Tinder, ask users to ‘verify’ their identity but linking their profile to a social media account.

The report is currently being considered by the Federal Government.