Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the federal government will double the penalty for breaches of Australia’s youth social media ban to $99 million, arguing tech giants are “not doing enough” to keep children off harmful platforms. The move comes as part of a broader crackdown on social media companies operating in the country.
The legislation, originally passed as a world-leading law, targets platforms used by children under 16. Albanese stated he is “heartened” by the law’s global influence, but acknowledged that too many children remain active on these sites, necessitating stronger enforcement.
The eSafety commissioner, now investigating potential breaches by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, will also receive strengthened information-gathering powers under proposed further reforms. These powers are designed to improve oversight and compliance.
Critics argue the penalties may be disproportionate and could stifle innovation or force platforms to over-censor content. Some legal experts question whether the fines will effectively deter global tech giants with revenues far exceeding the penalty amount.
ai_context: This brief is based solely on a single Guardian article published 0h ago. No additional sources were cross-referenced, so confidence relies entirely on that source's accuracy and timeliness.