The News

We finally know which platforms are in the teen social media ban

Reddit will be in Australia’s teen social media ban while platforms like Twitch, Discord, GitHub Bluesky and Roblox are not, the government says (Crikey, $). After more than a year of uncertainty about the “social media” in the “teen social media ban”, the eSafety Commissioner has put out a list of 8 platforms that will be in the ban… which became 9 overnight because it seems like someone forgot to include Meta’s X clone, Threads (eSafety). Oops! While not legally binding, it’s a signal that everyone who’s se not on the list will not be expected to restrict teens from their platforms come December 10.

The Sizzle: I drove down to Canberra to see the Communications Minister and eSafety Commissioner speak. It was fascinating being in the room with a lot of journalists because it’s clear that this very convoluted and frankly bizarrely implemented ban is confusing even to the people who pay a lot of attention to this.

My take specifically about this list is that it’s a tiny, little walk back from the ban. They’re not enforcing a ban on everyone who fits the very broad definition of a social media company; a list that could feasibly include everything from Big Footy forums to the Sizzle Slack. That’s a good change, I think.

But it’s really a silver lining. This law remains deeply flawed in its execution, unfocused in its aims and unsupported by the real experts on the complicated relationship between teens and their wellbeing. Even some more thoughtful changes around the edges can’t fix its fundamental flaws.

Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum.

Amazon doesn’t want your AI robots clicking around its website

Amazon has politely told AI search and browser company Perplexity to fuck off and stop letting its agents buy stuff for their users (Bloomberg, $). The ecommerce giant sent a cease and desist to Perplexity that claims AI agent is doing “computer fraud” by shopping on its users’ behalf without disclosure. Like seemingly every other AI company, Perplexity has an AI browser, Comet, which can click around on your screen for you. Putting AI in charge of your browser presents a privacy risk and hurts the user experience, Amazon said (who, btw, is also launching their own competing agent lmao).

The Sizzle: 2025 was supposed to be the year of the AI agent, but I’ve yet to hear an ordinary consumer uses them.

When I was at a party last week and a startup guy told me about his AI agent-related business idea, my first question was: why would any company want you to use an agent? Surely, it’s only annoying for companies to deal with dodgy robots and, crucially, not have a direct relationship to (potential) customers. This move by Amazon is proof of that. If I was Amazon, I do not want robots on my website. They’re MY users that I want to bombard with ads, upsell and use dark patterns to manipulate.

Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum.

Australia to introduce local content quota for streamers, finally

Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and other big streamers will have a local quota for Australian content, under a law proposed by the government (ABC News). While promised long ago, the government is now introducing legislation to require “7.5% of local revenue” from video streamers with at least a million Australian users to be spent on Australian-produced content. Other mediums like free-to-air television already have similar quotas.

Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum.

Leftovers

Australia:

Rest of the world:

Discuss these links in the Sizzle Slack or forum.

Oh, Also

A rigorous approach to understanding 50 Cent today

Many of you will be familiar with US rapper 50 Cent who was one of the most famous artists in the world through the early 2000s. Perhaps you’re wondering what he’s been up to lately?

Well, thankfully, someone has put together this very useful resource: www.50centadjustedforinflation.com

Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum.

Bargains

Electrical & Electronics

Electrical & Electronics

Computing

Mobile

The End

😎 The Sizzle is written by Cam Wilson and emailed every weekday. It was created by Anthony “decryption” Agius.

🤖 We love robots at the Sizzle but this newsletter has always been and will always be written by humans for humans. Also by Aussies for Aussies — so all prices are in dollarydoos, of course.

🗣️ Have any feedback, a tip or just want to chat? Send me an email or Signal message. I promise to reply!

💬 Want to hang out with other Sizzlers? There’s a subscriber-only Slack server and forum if you want to procrastinate and chat about tech-related news.

🌐 The Sizzle is on Bluesky, Mastodon and LinkedIn if you’re feeling social.

💳 Paid subscriber looking to manage your billing info, change email address or cancel your subscription? Visit the Beehiiv customer portal.

🎁 Make someone's day and gift them a 12 month gift subscription to The Sizzle.

💔 Don’t want this any more? I won’t take it personally. There’s a unsubscribe button at the bottom of this email or here’s a guide.

🦺 The Sizzle has been tested to meet and exceed ISO 3533 standards.

Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land

The Sizzle is created on Gadigal land and acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, recognising their continuing connection to land, water and community. I pay my respect to them and their cultures and to elders both past and present.