Australia Boosts Social Media Penalties

By Norman Metanza

Australia is implementing stringent new legislation to enforce its ban on social media for children under 16, citing tech companies' insufficient compliance. This includes doubling fines to AUD 99 million, mandating advanced age verification beyond self-declaration, and empowering the eSafety Commissioner with expanded access to data and algorithms.

Australia has announced stricter legislation to enforce its ban on social media use for children under 16, according to QNA.
The maximum financial penalties for non-compliant tech firms will be doubled to AUD 99 million, as reported by Reuters.
New measures will require advanced age-verification technologies, moving beyond self-declaration, to close existing loopholes.
The eSafety Commissioner will gain expanded powers to access data and examine platform algorithms, The Guardian noted.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that "big tech are not doing enough to comply with the law," as cited by The Statesman.
These changes aim to strengthen the existing ban and ensure greater accountability from social media companies.

Reporting Sources 5