[LINK] ID checks for social media accounts?

[Robert Brockway]

I look forward to seeing the definition of 'social media'.  Would a 
mailing list such as this one count, for example?

Rob

On Sun, 4 Apr 2021, Stephen Loosley wrote:

> 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.
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> 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.
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> “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.
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> “There should be a substantial increase in criminal and civil penalties for technology-facilitated abuse to act as a greater deterrent for errant behaviour.’’
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> Australians are currently not required to prove their identity on most online platforms, but ‘verify’ an account through an email address or phone number.
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> 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.
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