U.S. billionaire Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, has criticised Australia's proposed law to ban social media for children under 16 and fine social media platforms of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for companies for systemic breaches.
Australia's centre-left government on Thursday introduced the bill in parliament. It plans to try an age-verification system to enforce a social media age cut-off, some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date.
"Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians," Musk, who views himself as a champion of free speech, said in a reply late on Thursday to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's post on X about the bill.
Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one of the most stringent with no exemption for parental consent and pre-existing accounts.
France last year proposed a ban on social media for those under 15 but allowed parental consent, while the U.S. has for decades required technology companies to seek parental consent to access the data of children under 13.
Musk has previously clashed with Australia's centre-left Labor government over its social media policies and had called it "fascists" over its misinformation law.
In April, X went to an Australian court to challenge a cyber regulator's order for the removal of some posts about the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney, prompting Albanese to call Musk an "arrogant billionaire".
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that there could be “serious consequences” if Elon Musk provides financial support to Democratic candidates challenging Republicans who back Trump’s tax-cut bill, signalling a sharp turn in their previously cordial relationship.
This edition of Newshour explores the roots and ripple effects of President Trump’s clash with Elon Musk. AnewZ correspondent Oubai Shahbandar joins the program to unpack the political and economic stakes, while residents of Oakland, California share how the dispute resonates on the ground.
SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SXM-10 satellite for SiriusXM early Saturday, marking another success despite rising political tensions.
An escalating feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump threatens to disrupt key U.S. space programs and jeopardize $22 billion in government contracts with SpaceX.
Elon Musk has launched a scathing attack on President Donald Trump’s flagship tax and spending legislation, criticizing it as a “disgusting abomination” and warning it could harm Tesla’s business.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House in a historic meeting, claiming credit for stopping the recent India-Pakistan conflict, though India denied any U.S. mediation.
President Donald Trump is facing pushback from within his own "America First" coalition over the prospect of U.S. military involvement in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he supports China’s position that its ongoing tariff dispute with the United States should be resolved through dialogue.
Japanese stocks saw the largest foreign inflow in four weeks during the week ending June 14, driven by optimism over U.S.-China trade talks and a weaker yen supporting exporters’ earnings.
South Korea’s nominee for spy agency chief has stated his belief that the United States would respond with nuclear strikes if North Korea launched a nuclear attack against South Korea.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
New Zealand has suspended NZ$18.2 million in budget funding to the Cook Islands amid growing tensions over the island nation’s deepening ties with China and concerns over a lack of transparency.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House in a historic meeting, claiming credit for stopping the recent India-Pakistan conflict, though India denied any U.S. mediation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he supports China’s position that its ongoing tariff dispute with the United States should be resolved through dialogue.
South Korea’s nominee for spy agency chief has stated his belief that the United States would respond with nuclear strikes if North Korea launched a nuclear attack against South Korea.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the escalating Middle East tensions and stressed the need for urgent de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House in a historic meeting, claiming credit for stopping the recent India-Pakistan conflict, though India denied any U.S. mediation.
President Donald Trump is facing pushback from within his own "America First" coalition over the prospect of U.S. military involvement in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he supports China’s position that its ongoing tariff dispute with the United States should be resolved through dialogue.
Japanese stocks saw the largest foreign inflow in four weeks during the week ending June 14, driven by optimism over U.S.-China trade talks and a weaker yen supporting exporters’ earnings.
South Korea’s nominee for spy agency chief has stated his belief that the United States would respond with nuclear strikes if North Korea launched a nuclear attack against South Korea.
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