Thanks to Australia’s robust online safety framework, the eSafety Commissioner has stepped up enforcement and data protection measures sending out warnings if data protection is not being thought of as a priority. Recently they have targeted OmeTV, a popular roulette-style video chat app, for endangering children through inadequate protections. This enforcement action highlights the growing scrutiny on digital platforms that expose minors to grooming and exploitation risks. At Captain Compliance, we help global brands with global privacy and safety acts to help maintain ongoing compliance. In this case Australias Online Safety Act of 2021 was violated and the fine, was doled out to underscore the critical need for privacy safeguards in apps handling user data—especially for vulnerable young users. This is no different across the Pacific in America and around the world.
The Case Against OmeTV: Exposing Children to Hidden Dangers
OmeTV, operated by Bad Kitty’s Dad, LDA, functions as a random video chat service that pairs users anonymously, much like a digital roulette wheel. While marketed for social connections, the app has become a hotspot for predators, with Australian law enforcement raising alarms about its use in child grooming. Despite ranking 11th on the Apple App Store and 9th on Google Play for free social apps, OmeTV lacks essential safety features, such as age verification, content moderation, or restrictions on adult-child interactions.
eSafety’s investigation revealed that the app breaches the Relevant Electronic Services (RES) industry standard, which mandates platforms to implement measures against child sexual exploitation. Users, including children, are thrust into unfiltered video chats where coercion, manipulation, and explicit content can occur unchecked. This not only violates privacy by sharing personal video feeds without consent but also amplifies risks in an anonymous environment.
Privacy Breaches and Child Safety Failures
The core issues stem from OmeTV’s failure to:
- Enforce age-appropriate settings or verify user ages, allowing minors to connect with adults.
- Provide transparent reporting mechanisms for harmful content, delaying responses to abuse.
- Comply with data protection standards, potentially exposing children’s personal information and interactions to third parties or predators.
These lapses tie directly to privacy concerns, as video chats can reveal sensitive details like location, appearance, or personal stories. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized, “We know that this service is popular with children and for this reason it’s also popular with adults seeking to sexually prey on them.” The action aligns with broader warnings about randomized chat apps, where anonymity often masks malicious intent.
Enforcement Actions and Potential Penalties
eSafety issued a formal warning to OmeTV, marking its first use of powers under the industry codes. The Commissioner also notified Apple and Google, urging them to uphold their obligations under the App Store Code. Non-compliance could lead to civil penalties up to AUD 49.5 million. This measured response aims to prompt immediate reforms, with eSafety monitoring for further violations.
Australia’s Online Safety Act 2021
This case is empowered by the Online Safety Act 2021, a comprehensive law designed to shield Australians—particularly children—from online harms. The Act expands eSafety’s authority to:
- Require platforms to report on child safety measures and comply with Basic Online Safety Expectations.
- Issue removal notices for harmful content, including cyber-bullying and child exploitation material.
- Impose fines and enforce industry codes covering social media, apps, and electronic services.
The legislation emphasizes proactive protection, including education and penalties for non-compliance. A recent statutory review has explored enhancements, such as better age verification and restrictions on access to inappropriate content like pornography.
eSafety’s Pattern of Privacy Enforcement Over Safety Violations
OmeTV isn’t an isolated incident. eSafety has pursued several high-profile cases:
- Telegram Fined AUD 1 Million (February 2025): For delays in responding to queries on child abuse and extremist content, highlighting failures in timely reporting and moderation.
- X (formerly Twitter) Penalized Multiple Times: Fined AUD 610,500 in 2023 and again in 2025 for inadequate cooperation on child sexual exploitation probes. The platform challenged notices but lost appeals, underscoring resistance to transparency.
- Tech Giants Criticized (August 2025): Apple and Google faced scrutiny for not tracking abuse reports or disclosing safety staff, violating child protection standards.
- Broader Warnings on Chat Apps: eSafety’s advisory on anonymous random chat platforms notes ongoing risks of grooming, with similar apps facing investigations.
These cases reveal a systemic issue: Apps prioritizing engagement over privacy often compromise child safety, leading to data breaches and exploitation.
To avoid similar pitfalls, organizations must integrate child privacy into their core operations:
- Implement Robust Age Verification: Use reliable methods to segregate users and prevent adult-child interactions.
- Enhance Data Privacy Controls: Ensure explicit consent for data sharing and comply with laws like the Privacy Act alongside the Online Safety Act.
- Conduct Regular Audits: Review app features for risks, including anonymous elements that could enable harm.
- Train on Reporting Obligations: Respond promptly to regulator inquiries to avoid escalating fines.
- Adopt Privacy-by-Design: Build safety features from the ground up, especially for apps appealing to minors.
By prioritizing these, businesses can foster trust and evade regulatory wrath.
We Need To Strengthen Global Child Privacy
Australia’s aggressive stance via eSafety sets a precedent for international regulators, echoing efforts in the EU’s GDPR and U.S. COPPA. As digital platforms evolve, the focus on child privacy intensifies, with calls for global standards on age assurance and content moderation. For app developers worldwide, compliance isn’t optional—it’s essential to protect the next generation.
At Captain Compliance, our experts help navigate these regulations, from audits to integration. Don’t let your app be next—contact us to ensure child-safe, privacy-compliant operations whether you’re in Australia or anywhere else in the world our versatile privacy software can automate your privacy compliance requirements.
