Australia's top court weighs social-media ban's burden on political speech
( November 6, 2026, 03:38 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project appeared before Australia’s top court on Tuesday and Wednesday, arguing that the country’s under-16 social-media ban impermissibly burdens political communication, with less restrictive options available to address harmful platform features. The Commonwealth defended the restrictions as justified by risks to children’s health and development, describing the burden on political communication as indirect and modest and arguing that platforms could offer compliant versions without harmful features. The High Court reserved its decision after two days of hearings, during which judges questioned the law’s scope, the evidence supporting it and whether alternatives could achieve its objectives with a smaller burden on political communication.Transcripts attached. ...
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