Australian Online Safety Compliance

1. Overview

Australia has implemented comprehensive online safety legislation to protect children from harmful content. As a platform accessible to Australian users, Camberin is committed to:

• Preventing minors under 13 from creating accounts
• Protecting children from inappropriate content and interactions
• Complying with the eSafety Commissioner's requirements
• Implementing robust age assurance measures

2. Applicable Legislation

2.1 Online Safety Act 2021

This Act establishes Australia's online safety framework, empowering the eSafety Commissioner to protect Australians, particularly children, from harmful online content and conduct.

2.2 Basic Online Safety Expectations (2024)

The determination outlines expectations for service providers, including:

• Proactive measures to detect and remove illegal and harmful content
• Age assurance systems
• Content classification and restriction mechanisms
• User reporting and complaint handling
• Transparency reporting

2.3 Proposed Social Media Age Restrictions

In 2024-2025, the Australian government proposed raising the minimum age for social media to 16. While Camberin is not primarily a social media platform, we are monitoring these developments and implementing safety measures to comply with evolving requirements.

2.4 Privacy Act 1988

We comply with the Privacy Act when collecting and using personal information, ensuring data is handled securely and lawfully.

3. Age Requirements on Camberin

3.1 Minimum Age

• Browsing: No age restriction for viewing public content
• Account Creation: Minimum age of 13 years
• Full Features: Some features require users to be 18+
• Business Accounts: Minimum age of 18 years

3.2 Parental Consent

Users aged 13-17 require parental or guardian consent to create an account and use certain features. By creating an account, users in this age range affirm that their parent or guardian has reviewed and agreed to our terms on their behalf. Parents/guardians should:

• Review and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy on behalf of the minor
• Understand how their child's data will be used
• Retain the ability to access and delete the minor's account

3.3 Age-Restricted Content

Content that may be inappropriate for minors is restricted to users 18 and over. This includes:

• Destinations with adult-oriented activities (nightlife, alcohol tourism)
• Adventure travel content with safety considerations
• User-generated content flagged as mature

4. Age Assurance Methods

Camberin implements a multi-layered approach to age assurance in compliance with Australian requirements:

4.1 Self-Declaration

By creating an account, users confirm they meet the minimum age of 13. For users under 18, creating an account signifies that they have obtained parental consent as required by our terms.

4.2 Estimation Technologies

We may use age estimation technology to identify potentially underage users:

• Behavioral Analysis: Usage patterns consistent with age groups
• AI Detection: Machine learning models to estimate age from profile information
• Manual Review: Human reviewers assess flagged accounts

These technologies are designed to protect privacy while ensuring compliance. Users flagged as potentially underage are asked to confirm their age.

5. Content Safety Measures

5.1 Content Moderation

To protect minors, we implement:

• AI Scanning: Automated detection of inappropriate content
• Human Review: Trained moderators review flagged content
• User Reports: Community reporting of harmful content
• Rapid Response: Quick removal of violating content (typically within 24 hours)

5.2 Prohibited Content for Minors

Content prohibited for users under 18 includes:

• Sexually explicit material
• Violence and gore
• Drug and alcohol promotion
• Dangerous activities and challenges
• Hate speech and discrimination
• Bullying and harassment

5.3 Age-Gating

Content that may be unsuitable for minors is automatically age-gated:

• Warning screens before viewing
• Requirement to confirm age (18+)
• Blurred previews until age confirmed
• Exclusion from search results for underage users

6. Safety Features for Minors

6.1 Default Privacy Settings

Accounts for users under 18 have enhanced privacy by default:

• Private accounts (manual approval for followers)
• Limited visibility in search and discovery
• Restricted messaging (only approved contacts)
• Disabled location sharing
• No public comment permissions

6.2 Parental Controls

Parents/guardians of users aged 13-17 can:

• View account activity and content
• Control privacy settings
• Approve or block contacts
• Delete the account at any time

6.3 Safety Resources

We provide educational resources:

• In-app safety tips for minors and parents
• Links to eSafety Commissioner resources
• Reporting tools for concerning content or behavior
• Crisis support contacts (Lifeline, Kids Helpline, etc.)

7. Reporting and Complaints

7.1 User Reporting

Users can report:

• Underage users on the platform
• Inappropriate content accessible to minors
• Harmful interactions or cyberbullying
• Safety concerns

7.2 eSafety Commissioner Complaints

If you have concerns about Camberin's compliance with Australian online safety laws, you can:

• Contact us directly: safety@camberin.com
• Report to the eSafety Commissioner: esafety.gov.au/report
• Call eSafety: 1800 880 176

7.3 Response Timeframes

• Urgent Safety Issues: Immediate action (within 24 hours)
• Content Removal Requests: 24-48 hours for review and action
• General Inquiries: 5-7 business days for response
• eSafety Notices: Compliance within statutory timeframes (typically 24 hours)

8. Privacy and Data Protection

8.1 Minor Data Protection

For users under 18:

• Enhanced data security measures
• Limited data sharing with third parties
• No targeted advertising based on personal data
• Right to deletion upon request (by parent/guardian or minor themselves)

8.2 Privacy Act Compliance

We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs):

• APP 1: Open and transparent management of personal information
• APP 3: Collection of solicited personal information (only when necessary)
• APP 5: Notification of collection
• APP 6: Use or disclosure of personal information (limited purposes)
• APP 11: Security of personal information
• APP 12: Access to personal information
• APP 13: Correction of personal information

9. Enforcement Actions

9.1 Underage Account Detection

When we detect an account that may belong to someone under the minimum age:

• Account is suspended pending age confirmation
• User is notified and given opportunity to confirm their age
• If unable to confirm minimum age, account is permanently deleted
• Parents/guardians are notified (if contact information available)

9.2 Violations

Users who attempt to circumvent age requirements:

• Have accounts permanently banned
• May be reported to eSafety Commissioner if serious risk identified
• Are prevented from creating new accounts (device and IP bans)

9.3 Content Violations

Users who post content harmful to minors face:

• Immediate content removal
• Account warnings or suspension
• Permanent ban for severe or repeated violations
• Potential referral to law enforcement if illegal content detected

10. Transparency Reporting

As required by the Online Safety Act, we publish transparency reports detailing:

• Number of underage accounts detected and removed
• Content removal statistics (harmful content, child safety)
• User reports received and action taken
• eSafety Commissioner notices and compliance
• Cooperation with law enforcement

Transparency reports are published annually and available at camberin.com/transparency

11. Cooperation with Authorities

11.1 eSafety Commissioner

We maintain open communication with the eSafety Commissioner and:

• Respond promptly to notices and requests
• Provide information about our safety systems
• Implement recommended improvements
• Participate in industry consultations

11.2 Law Enforcement

We cooperate with Australian Federal Police and state police:

• Report child exploitation material immediately
• Preserve evidence when requested by valid legal process
• Provide user data pursuant to warrants or court orders
• Assist with investigations of online crimes against minors

11.3 Industry Collaboration

We participate in:

• Industry codes of practice for online safety
• Information sharing about emerging threats
• Best practice forums with other platforms

12. Updates and Changes

Australian online safety legislation continues to evolve. We will:

• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes
• Update our systems to maintain compliance
• Notify users of material changes to our safety practices
• Implement new eSafety Commissioner requirements promptly

This page is reviewed quarterly and updated as needed to reflect current laws and our practices.