eSafety Concerns and Atlassian’s Solar Deal Shape Australia’s Tech News
eSafety Commissioner Raises Concerns Over Online Gaming Risks
The eSafety Commissioner has identified significant risks associated with online gaming for children. Their recent report criticizes several gaming platforms for insufficient protective measures, posing potential exposure to inappropriate content. The Commissioner highlights inconsistencies in the security protocols across popular gaming providers such as Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, and Steam.
A major issue is the reliance on age self-declaration, which has allowed children to easily access third-party content that lacks adequate moderation. Additionally, there is a notable dearth of available human moderators capable of handling harmful content promptly. Currently, platforms dedicated to gaming aren’t subject to the social media regulations for under-16s but must comply with the commissioner’s data collection mandates.
Julie Inman-Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, emphasized the importance of this issue, advocating for improved regulatory standards and platform accountability. Despite some advancements, she lamented the general lack of effective safeguards, urging platforms to adopt more stringent measures to protect younger users.
Atlassian Supports Renewable Energy with Solar Farm Agreement
Meanwhile, Atlassian has made headlines with a substantial commitment to renewable energy. The tech giant has partnered with the Goulburn Community Energy Co-operative in a decade-long deal to power its new headquarters in Sydney. By securing nearly 70% of the output from a community-owned solar farm, Atlassian is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable practices.
The solar farm, spanning 2.2 hectares in Goulburn, is equipped with 2,300 panels and a battery capacity of four megawatt-hours. This facility, supported by a $2.3 million grant from the NSW government, started connecting to the power grid earlier this year, facilitated by the contributions of 288 local investors. Andrew Bray, chair of the co-operative, expressed pride in the partnership, viewing it as a strong endorsement of their efforts.
The agreement underscores the ongoing conversation around the role of technology companies in driving renewable energy solutions to support the increasing demands of data centers and AI systems. This initiative not only aligns with environmental goals but also fosters local economic activity and employment.
Photo by Martijn Vonk on Unsplash
