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Apple Boss Praises Social Media Ban in Albanese Call
Apple said the new controls let parents manage app access, messaging and content as it rolls out software updates later this year.
On Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook contacted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to announce new child-safety features, revealing the update was "in part inspired by Australia's world-leading social media age ban."
Australia's ban, effective since December, restricts under-16s from 10 platforms including TikTok and Instagram, resulting in more than 5 million accounts removed or restricted since implementation.
Arriving later this year, Apple's software updates include an "Ask to Browse" control requiring parental permission for Safari, plus "Time Allowances" capping daily usage for games and social media.
Albanese welcomed the announcement to defend the government's legislation, which mandates platforms take "reasonable steps" to prevent access for under-16s on their services.
However, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant has questioned the ban, calling it a "very blunt force approach" and saying she was "not really keen on it.