Reddit has filed a lawsuit in Australia's High Court challenging the country's newly implemented social media ban for users under 16, arguing that the measure violates constitutional protections for political communication.
In its filing, the U.S.-based platform said the law infringes on the rights of young Australians who will soon become voters, claiming that restricting their access to online discussions impedes democratic participation. Reddit also argued that it does not meet the legal definition of a social media platform and should therefore be exempt from the ban.
The case marks the second legal challenge to the law since it took effect on December 10. Under the ban, platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Reddit must block underage users or face fines of up to A49.5 million.
