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Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Australia bans YouTube accounts for children under 16 in reversal of previous stance
MELBOURNE: The Australian government announced YouTube will be among the social media platforms that must ensure account holders are at least 16-years-old from December, reversing a position taken months ago on the popular video-sharing service. YouTube was listed as an exemption in November last year when the Parliament passed world-first laws that will ban Australian children younger than 16 from platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and X. Communications Minister Anika Wells released rules Wednesday that decide which online services are defined as 'age-restricted social media platforms' and which avoid the age limit. The age restrictions take effect Dec. 10 and platforms will face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for 'failing to take responsible steps' to exclude underage account holders, a government statement said. The steps are not defined. Wells defended applying the restrictions to YouTube and said the government would not be intimidated by threats of legal action from the platform's US owner, Alphabet Inc. 'The evidence cannot be ignored that four out of 10 Australian kids report that their most recent harm was on YouTube,' Wells told reporters, referring to government research. 'We will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the wellbeing of Australian kids.' Children will be able to access YouTube but will not be allowed to have their own YouTube accounts. YouTube said the government's decision 'reverses a clear, public commitment to exclude YouTube from this ban.' 'We share the government's goal of addressing and reducing online harms. Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. It's not social media,' a YouTube statement said, noting it will consider next steps and engage with the government. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia would campaign at a United Nations forum in New York in September for international support for banning children from social media. 'I know from the discussions I've had with other leaders that they are looking at this and they are considering what impact social media is having on young people in their respective nations,' Albanese said. 'It is a common experience. This is not an Australian experience.' Last year, the government commissioned an evaluation of age assurance technologies that was to report last month on how young children could be excluded from social media. The government had yet to receive that evaluation's final recommendations, Wells said. But she added the platform users won't have to upload documents such as passports and driver's licenses to prove their age. 'Platforms have to provide an alternative to providing your own personal identification documents to satisfy themselves of age,' Wells said. 'These platforms know with deadly accuracy who we are, what we do and when we do it. And they know that you've had a Facebook account since 2009, so they know that you are over 16.' Exempt services include online gaming, messaging, education and health apps. They are excluded because they are considered less harmful to children. The minimum age is intended to address harmful impacts on children including addictive behaviors caused by persuasive or manipulative platform design features, social isolation, sleep interference, poor mental and physical health, low life-satisfaction and exposure to inappropriate and harmful content, government documents say.
ArabGT
3 days ago
- ArabGT
GM's New Cadillacs Delight Overseas, Disappoint Americans
General Motors is stirring frustration among its most loyal customers after confirming that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be available in its new Cadillac EVs—but only outside the U.S. In markets like Australia and New Zealand, Cadillac drivers will enjoy full smartphone integration, while American buyers—ironically, in GM's own backyard—are left out. Cadillac EVs Go Fully Connected—But Only Abroad Cadillac's electric future is rolling out globally with models like the Lyriq, Festiq, and Optiq heading to Australia and New Zealand equipped with wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and the Cadillac Connected Services suite. That means over-the-air updates, customizable screens, and a polished user experience—all powered by the smartphones people already rely on. But in the U.S., the very same vehicles will ship without these popular features. GM is holding the line on a controversial decision it made last year: dropping Apple and Google smartphone mirroring in favor of its own native interface, 'Ultifi.' Ultifi or Bust? Customers Aren't Convinced GM has framed Ultifi as the future—an in-house infotainment system integrated with Google services, designed to be faster, smarter, and more seamless. But many drivers don't see it that way. For them, removing CarPlay and Android Auto isn't progress—it's a downgrade. People want their apps, their maps, their playlists, their familiar interface. They don't want to relearn a new system or lose the personalization and ease they've come to expect. So Why the Divide? GM hasn't given a clear answer. Some speculate that regional differences are driving the decision. Australia, for instance, doesn't offer Super Cruise—GM's hands-free driving system—so full smartphone integration is a must. In the U.S., the company might be pushing drivers toward Ultifi to control the digital ecosystem and eventually monetize it through subscriptions. Backlash From the Home Crowd American buyers aren't happy. Social media and forums lit up with complaints from frustrated drivers asking why someone in Melbourne gets a more connected driving experience than someone in Manhattan or Michigan. Some called it 'digital discrimination,' others saw it as GM putting profits ahead of user experience. In an era where cars are as much about software as they are about steel, these decisions matter—and so does the message they send. For GM, the risk is clear: alienating its most important market while offering better features abroad could cost them more than just good will.
ArabGT
3 days ago
- ArabGT
Mitsubishi Bows Out of the Chinese Market
In a move that feels less like strategy and more like surrender, Mitsubishi has officially withdrawn from the Chinese market. It's a stunning admission of defeat in the world's most competitive and influential automotive arena—a place where success can elevate a brand globally, and failure can end it. For Mitsubishi, China was once the land of promise. A place to regain lost ground and reassert relevance. But after years of dwindling sales and fading presence, that dream has come to an end. The company's factory, built through a joint venture with GAC Motor, is shutting down. The hopes it once had are now just part of a long list of what could've been. China is no longer just a huge market—it's the heartbeat of the industry. With over 25 million cars sold each year, it's where the future is written. Mitsubishi's numbers? Fewer than 4,000 vehicles sold in Q1 of 2023. That's not a foothold—that's a freefall. So, What Went Wrong? Quite a few things, but three stand out: The EV Revolution Passed Them By : While local giants like BYD and newcomers like Xpeng stormed the market with affordable and innovative electric cars, Mitsubishi was stuck in neutral. Design That Didn't Speak to Today's Buyer : Their models looked and felt outdated next to the tech-packed, design-forward offerings from Chinese brands. A Strategy That Never Took Root: The partnership with GAC lacked chemistry, and Mitsubishi failed to craft a message or product lineup that truly connected with Chinese consumers. What About the U.S.? Things aren't as dire, but they're not encouraging either. Mitsubishi is phasing out the Mirage—its most budget-friendly model—and raising prices in the face of rising tariffs. It's betting on a new roadmap called 'Momentum 2030,' which includes an upcoming EV co-developed with Nissan. But we're talking 2026 at the earliest, and details are still vague. Europe's Hope Rides on Renault In Europe, Mitsubishi is leaning heavily on its Renault alliance, bringing back models like the ASX and Colt—but not really. These are Renaults in disguise, and while that might fill the lineup, it doesn't do much for brand identity. Real momentum may come in 2025 or 2026 with the debut of a new electric crossover, but that too remains a question mark. Is There Still a Way Forward? Mitsubishi isn't dead—not yet. It still has loyal buyers in Southeast Asia and Latin America. But survival now depends on more than just holding on. It needs: A full-throttle move into electric and hybrid technology—no more delay. Cars that are bold, fresh, and unmistakably Mitsubishi. Real synergy with Nissan and Renault—shared vision, not just shared parts. The exit from China might look like a closing chapter, but it could also be a wake-up call. The world isn't waiting. Neither should Mitsubishi.
