Australia to Sue Facebook, TikTok over Violations of Under-16 Social Media Ban
Communications Minister Anika Wells says regulators are preparing cases after a July report found most underage users could still keep or create accounts.
- Communications Minister Anika Wells announced on Monday that Australia is set to sue Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube for alleged non-compliance with the nationwide social media ban for under-16s.
- Since the world-first ban took effect last year, the government doubled maximum penalties for breaches to A$109.2 million to ensure platforms take reasonable steps preventing underage users from maintaining accounts.
- Commissioner Julie Inman Grant now possesses enhanced investigative powers to summon employees and demand documents; "She's now using those powers to prepare her case," Wells said. An eSafety report found most underage users bypassed restrictions due to ineffective age checks.
- Representatives for Snap, TikTok, ByteDance, and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the potential legal action, while Meta and eSafety spokespersons offered no immediate comment.
- The eSafety Commissioner remains an independent regulator accountable to Parliament through the Communications Minister; the government maintains it will not flinch at holding tech companies accountable for compliance with age restrictions.
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Reformatorisch Dagblad
The Australian government plans to file a lawsuit against Facebook, TikTok, and other major social media platforms. According to Australian Minister for Communications Anika Wells, these companies are allegedly not complying with the nationwide ban on social media for young people under the age of 16.
The Australian government plans to file a lawsuit against Facebook, TikTok, and other major social media platforms. According to Australian Minister for Communications Anika Wells, these companies are allegedly not complying with the nationwide ban on social media for young people under the age of 16.
The Star Kuala Lumpur
Australia to sue Facebook, TikTok for alleged breaches of ban
Australia's government is set to sue Facebook, TikTok and other major digital platforms for alleged non-compliance with a nationwide social media ban for under-16s.
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