Kazakhstan considers blocking social media accounts of children under 16
In short
Kazakhstan's government has prepared amendments restricting online platforms for users under 16, and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said in a reply to a parliamentary inquiry that temporarily blocking social media accounts of children under 16 would be considered, according to Kazinform reports cited by Kommersant and RBC. TASS reported that age-verification rules would be drawn up after amendments to the law “On online platforms and online advertising” are adopted.
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Kazakhstan's government has prepared amendments restricting online platforms for users under 16, and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said in a response to a parliamentary inquiry that the temporary blocking of social media accounts for users under 16 would be considered, according to Kazinform reports cited by Kommersant and RBC. [ 2 , 3 ]
TASS reported that the suspension of social media accounts of children under 16 will be considered in Kazakhstan, and that after amendments to the law “On online platforms and online advertising” are adopted, special rules for confirming users' age will be developed. RBC described the prepared amendments as restricting registration of users under 16 on online platforms. The documents do not say when any measure could take effect, at what stage the amendments stand, or how age would be verified. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
If adopted, the measure would change how under-16 users in Kazakhstan can register for and keep accounts on social media and other online platforms. The documents do not give a timetable or enforcement mechanism, so the practical effect is not yet clear.
Key facts
- Kazakhstan's government has prepared amendments that would restrict online platform use by users under 16 [ 2 , 3 ]
- Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said, in a response to a parliamentary inquiry, that temporary blocking of social media accounts for users under 16 would be considered [ 2 , 3 ]
- The inquiry response was reported by Kazinform [ 2 , 3 ]
- TASS reported that the suspension of social media accounts of children under 16 will be considered [ 1 ]
- According to TASS, special rules for confirming users' age will be developed after amendments to the law “On online platforms and online advertising” are adopted [ 1 ]
- RBC reported that the prepared amendments restrict registration of users under 16 on online platforms [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the proposal means blocking existing accounts, as TASS and Kommersant reported, or restricting registration of new users under 16, as RBC reported The three documents describe the measure differently: suspension or temporary blocking of accounts in two outlets, restriction on registration in a third.
- Whether the amendments have been submitted, adopted or only prepared, and when any measure would take effect The documents say amendments were prepared or would be considered, but give no legislative stage or date.
- How users' age would be verified TASS says special rules will be developed after the amendments are adopted, without describing them.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Kazakhstan will consider suspending social media accounts of children under 16 and that age-verification rules will follow amendments to the law “On online platforms and online advertising” [ 1 ]
- Kommersant reports that temporary blocking of social media accounts for users under 16 is being considered, citing Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov's reply to a parliamentary inquiry via Kazinform [ 2 ]
- RBC reports that the government has prepared amendments restricting registration of users under 16 on online platforms, citing Kazinform and Bektenov's answer to a parliamentary inquiry [ 3 ]