Australian authorities threaten tech firms with fines over social media access for minors

Australian authorities have threatened tech companies, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, with sanctions for failing to comply with the country's social media ban for users under 16. Australia became the first country to implement this ban in December to protect children's mental health. Three months after the legislation was passed, the eSafety regulator reported that while over 5 million accounts belonging to minors were deleted, a significant number of children still maintain access to restricted platforms. The regulator identified Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube as primary areas of concern. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland stated that tech giants are not respecting Australian law, despite the regulations being effective in design. The government has asserted that companies must strictly adhere to local laws to continue operating within the country. Other nations, including Indonesia and Brazil, have since moved to adopt similar regulatory measures.