Australia Social Media Ban: Tech Giants Urge Caution Over Early Data As Penalties Rise To AUD 99 Million
Social media giants urged Australia's Senate inquiry to exercise caution regarding early data on the under-16 ban, noting ongoing enforcement challenges. Meta, Google, and TikTok detailed account removals as lawmakers consider doubling maximum penalties to AUD 99 million for non-compliance.
Major technology companies have urged the Australian government not to place excessive reliance on early statistical evidence showing that many minors continue to use social media despite the national under-16 prohibition. Representatives from Google, Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok appeared before a parliamentary Senate inquiry as lawmakers weighed tougher regulatory penalties and expanded investigative powers.
As per a Reuters report, the legislative hearing highlighted a sharp divide between federal officials and big tech corporations regarding the real-world effectiveness of the restrictions enacted last December. Regulatory studies indicate that roughly 80% of children remain active on various social platforms, prompting the eSafety Commissioner to consider potential legal action against platforms accused of moving too slowly on compliance. Meta Deactivates 7,50,000 Australian Teen Accounts Amid Ban Enforcement.
Compliance Challenges and Regulatory Powers
The ongoing parliamentary inquiry is reviewing proposed legislative amendments that would double maximum financial penalties to AUD 99 million USD 64 million) and grant authorities greater powers to compel internal documents from tech firms and third-party age verification providers. Regulators argue that active enforcement is necessary to accelerate behavioral changes across digital ecosystems.
Industry representatives countered that initial survey metrics fail to accurately capture platform compliance. Executives noted that age assurance frameworks have historically targeted an 18-year threshold rather than 16, requiring continuous technological evolution to detect younger users effectively. Furthermore, corporate stakeholders emphasized a distinct difference between general platform access and actual registered account ownership.
Platform Enforcement Statistics
To demonstrate ongoing compliance efforts, major operators submitted updated account removal figures to the parliamentary committee. Meta reported that it has deactivated 7,56,000 Instagram and Facebook accounts suspected of belonging to underage users, increasing from approximately 5,00,000 in March.
Similarly, Google confirmed that it has restricted roughly 7.40,000 account holders from accessing YouTube under the updated guidelines. TikTok stated that it removed 5,50,000 accounts when the regulations initially took effect and continues to purge around 24,000 unauthorized accounts on a monthly basis.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 11:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
