Tech giants Meta, TikTok, Google slam Australia’s under-16 social media ban

The proposed law will hold social-media platforms responsible for policing the ban, under threat of fines of up to US$32.5 million

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Australians under 16 years of age will be prohibited from setting up accounts on all major social media sites under a proposed legislation. Photo: AP

Published: 3:34pm, 26 Nov 2024Updated: 7:18pm, 26 Nov 2024

Global tech giants – including Meta Platforms, ByteDance-owned TikTok and Google – have heavily criticised Australian legislation to ban children under 16 from accessing social-media platforms, setting the stage for a policy fight as the government tries to push the bill through parliament this week.

Under the proposed law, Australians under 16 years of age will be prohibited from setting up accounts on all major social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Reddit, even if they obtain parental permission.

The social media giants will be responsible for policing the ban, under threat of fines of up to A$50 million (US$32.5 million).

The centre-left Labour government has not laid out how proposed age verification technology will work, although Minister of Communications Michelle Rowland told her parliamentary colleagues last week that it would not involve uploading personal identification.

The Australian Senate, or upper house of parliament, is holding a short inquiry into the legislation which is due to report by Tuesday. However, given the legislation has support from the centre-right opposition, it is all but certain to become law within days.

Australia’s Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, said last week that use of the proposed law’s age-verification technology will not involve uploading personal identification. Photo: AP

In submissions to the Senate inquiry, tech companies warned of unintended, negative consequences from the rapidly-drafted laws.