The Australian government, with support from both of its major parties, could pass restrictions on the online services of platforms like PlayStation and Xbox. Anthony Albanese has been the leader of the Labor Party since 2019 and became prime minister of Australia in 2022. In recent history, he has sought to impose heavy restrictions on the use of social media for users under the age of 16. PlayStation and Xbox don't appear or function like traditional social media platforms, but they do offer services that could be caught up in the government's new rules.
This isn't the first time the administration has passed rules with consequences for the gaming industry. Australia famously imposed restrictions on loot boxes in 2023. While the powers that be directly targeted developers and publishers in 2023, the current proposals have taken aim at social media. Gaming platforms don't share many elements with social media giants like Facebook or Twitter. However, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and online titles like Roblox and Fortnite do enable users of all ages to interact with one another through messaging, voice chat, and gaming. With millions of users in many different demographics all over the world, their ability to connect people...
