Australia to double fines on Big Tech as children bypass social media ban
Summary
Australia plans to double fines on social media companies that fail to stop children under 16 from using their platforms. The government will also give a regulator more powers to enforce the rules, after finding that many children still access social media by bypassing the ban.Key Facts
- Australia will raise the maximum fine for social media companies from 49.5 million to 99 million Australian dollars (about $31 million to $68 million).
- The new law gives the eSafety Commissioner more powers to demand proof that platforms are blocking under-16s.
- The ban on children under 16 using social media started on December 10.
- Children have been bypassing the ban using fake accounts or other tricks.
- A study found little evidence that the ban has significantly reduced social media use among children.
- More than five million accounts held by under-16s have been blocked so far.
- The government accuses companies like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube of not doing enough to comply.
- Platforms use methods like artificial intelligence or government ID checks to verify user age.
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