Meta lobbied the federal government for new rules to implement age verification at the app store level, which would put a burden on companies like Apple And Googlerather than individual platforms such as Meta's Facebook and Instagram.
The company has presented the idea in meetings with both the federal and provincial governments, said Meta Canada public policy director Rachel Curran.
Curran said in an interview that Mehta is making the case that the Liberal government should include the concept in future legislation addressing online safety issues.
“We believe this is by far the most efficient, privacy-protecting and efficient way to determine a user's age,” Curran said.
Under Meta's proposal, the app stores themselves, operated by Apple on its devices and by Google on devices using the Android operating system, would signal to app developers whether users are over or under 18.
“This would allow us, along with all the other apps that children use, to ensure that users receive an age-appropriate experience,” Curran said.
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Curran said parents already enter birth dates when they set up their children's phones and link their children's accounts to theirs to authorize purchases.
Other jurisdictions, including more than 20 U.S. states, have proposed or passed laws targeting app stores, she said.
“We know this can be done, so we're making the case that this is what we should be doing in Canada to better protect youth online,” Curran said.
Curran said Meta was introducing its own measures, including teenage accounts on Facebook and Instagram which include parental controls. The company announced that it will follow “PG-13” standards for these accounts, meaning that teens should not be exposed to content that is not suitable for PG-13 rated films.
It is introducing similar rules for its artificial intelligence chatbots. Meta is also introducing technology that determines a user's age by taking into account factors such as their network of friends and the content they interact with, Curran said.
The company will continue its efforts, she said, “but we think there is a better way to verify age.”
Curran said the federal government's response has been “overall very positive” and that while provinces have been supportive, they have jurisdictional concerns about passing such legislation.
Last week, a coalition of children's rights advocates and medical organizations said The dangers children face online are a national emergency. They called on the government to return Internet Harm Lawwhich was introduced by the Trudeau government but never became law.
The Liberals have made it clear they will not bring back the legislation in its previous form, but will instead address aspects of online harm in other laws.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser said he plans to introduce legislation that includes measures to combat online sexual exploitation and extortion.
Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon said his upcoming privacy bill, expected in early December, could include age restrictions for access to chatbots with artificial intelligence to protect children.
The growing popularity of artificial intelligence chatbots has heightened concerns about their impact on children.
Megan Garcia, who filed a Florida lawsuit against Character.AI after her 14-year-old son committed suicide, spoke in Montreal last month and called on politicians outside the U.S. to take action, saying it would help put pressure on tech companies.
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