Australia PM Addresses Privacy Concerns Over Social Media Ban for Children

Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese assured privacy protections for the government’s proposed social media ban on children under 16, which includes strict age-verification measures.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese downplayed privacy concerns on Monday regarding the government's proposed social media ban for children under 16. He assured that social media platforms would be required to delete personal data used for age verification once a user's age is confirmed.

The government plans to trial an age-verification system, potentially including biometrics or government IDs, as part of the strict new regulations aimed at enforcing one of the world's toughest social media age restrictions.

Albanese emphasized that the new laws would include strong privacy protections, with platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and Snapchat facing fines of up to $32 million if they fail to comply. Critics, including Elon Musk, have argued that the laws could be a step toward controlling internet access for all Australians.

The government aims to pass the legislation by the end of the parliamentary year, fast-tracking it through both houses of parliament.

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