Australia has introduced a world-first ban on social media for children under 16, a move that has sparked mixed reactions
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Australia enacts world-first social media ban to protect under-16s
Australia has introduced a world-first ban on social media for children under 16, a move that has sparked mixed reactions, Reuters reported on November 28. The new law, passed Thursday, mandates platforms like Instagram, Meta, and TikTok to prevent minors from logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million).
The ban, which takes effect in 2025, aims to protect children from mental and physical health risks linked to excessive social media use. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the legislation, stressing the need for platforms to prioritise child safety.
However, tech giants like TikTok warn the ban could push young users to more dangerous, unregulated corners of the internet. The law has drawn criticism for being rushed and lacking proper scrutiny, with some calling it an infringement on freedom. The move could also strain relations between Australia and the US, home to major tech firms, Reuters notes.
Huawei showcases its Android-free OS with Mate70 smartphone
Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies earlier this week unveiled its Mate70 smartphone series, powered by its own HarmonyOS NEXT, a version of its operating system designed to be independent of US technology.
This marks a significant step in its recovery from US export curbs that had crippled its high-end smartphone business, Reuters notes in a report on November 26. The Mate70, priced from 5,499 yuan ($758), comes as the US is poised to impose new export controls targeting Chinese chipmakers. Huawei’s Richard Yu touted the Mate70 as the most powerful in its series, featuring a satellite paging system and a 40 percent performance boost, according to Reuters.
Huawei is still offering Android compatibility for the time being, as it builds out its app ecosystem, which now includes 15,000 apps with plans to expand to 100,000 in the coming months.
CCI opens probe into Google’s app store policies on real money games
The Competition Commission of India has opened an investigation into Google’s policies regarding real-money games on its platform, following a complaint by online gaming firm WinZO, according to an order posted on the antitrust authority’s website, November 28.
WinZO, in the case first filed in 2022, alleges that Google’s updated policy, which allows games like fantasy sports and rummy, unfairly excluded its platform, despite offering similar services. The complaint claims Google’s selective approval creates a “two-tier market”, giving some developers preferential access while disadvantaging others, Reuters notes in its report on the order.
This move adds to Google’s regulatory troubles in India, where it has already faced penalties for antitrust violations related to its Android market dominance. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is expected to complete its probe within 60 days. Google has not yet responded to the complaint.
Stellaris Venture Partners raise $300 million, their biggest fund
Stellaris Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm in Bengaluru, has successfully closed its third fund, raising $300 million to invest in Indian startups targeting both local and global markets.
“We will continue to back companies in technology and technology enabled sectors, partnering with them early in their journey,” the firm’s partners Alok Goyal, Ritesh Banglani, Rahul Chowdhri and Naman Lahoty, wrote in a post, announcing the new fund November 28.
Stellaris’s first fund was raised in 2017. It has backed 44 tech startups, with notable investments in consumer brand Mamaearth, digital adoption platform Whatfix, and EV financing startup Turno, according to the post. Private markets intelligence provider Tracxn puts Stellaris’s startup investments at 64. The firm itself was started in 2015, according to Tracxn.
The new fund will focus on areas like consumer tech, AI, SaaS, and financial services. Leadership announcements include the promotion of Naman Lahoty to partner, Chetan GMS as CFO and Preseedha Premnath as general counsel.
NCB signs MoUs on advancing decarbonisation in cement manufacturing
The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB), an organisation under the administrative control of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to advance decarbonisation in the sector.
The MoUs were signed during the 18th NCB International Conference and Exhibition on Cement and Concrete held at Yashobhoomi, IICC Dwarka, according to a November 28 ministry press release.
An MoU was signed between NCB and the Indian unit of the Global Cement and Concrete Association, an industry lobby, to promote research in the area of decarbonisation within the Indian cement sector. India is targeting Net Zero status for the nation by 2070. A second MoU was signed between NCB and AIC-Plasmatech Innovation Foundation in the application of thermal plasma torch technology in cement production, according to the release.