Google and Facebook-owner Meta Platforms urged the Australian government on Tuesday to delay a bill that will ban most forms of social media for children under 16, saying more time was needed to assess its potential impact.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left government wants to pass the bill, which represents some of the toughest controls on children's social media use imposed by any country, into law by the end of the parliamentary year on Thursday.
The bill was introduced in parliament last week and opened for submissions of opinions for only one day.
Google and Meta said in their submissions that the government should wait for the results of an age-verification trial before going ahead.
The age-verification system may include biometrics or government identification to enforce a social media age cut-off.
"In the absence of such results, neither industry nor Australians will understand the nature or scale of age assurance required by the bill, nor the impact of such measures on Australians," Meta said.
"In its present form, the bill is inconsistent and ineffective."
The law would force social media platforms, and not parents or children, to take reasonable steps to ensure age-verification protections are in place. Companies could be fined up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for systemic breaches.
The opposition Liberal party is expected to support the bill though some independent lawmakers have accused the government of rushing through the entire process in around a week.
A Senate committee responsible for communications legislation is scheduled to deliver a report on Tuesday.
Bytedance's TikTok said the bill lacked clarity and that it had "significant concerns" with the government's plan to pass the bill without detailed consultation with experts, social media platforms, mental health organisations and young people.
"Where novel policy is put forward, it's important that legislation is drafted in a thorough and considered way, to ensure it is able to achieve its stated intention. This has not been the case with respect to this Bill," TikTok said.
Elon Musk's X raised concerns that the bill will negatively impact the human rights of children and young people, including their rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
The U.S. billionaire, who views himself as a champion of free speech, last week attacked the Australian government saying the bill seemed like a backdoor way to control access to the internet.
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.
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 a bill in parliament that aims to ban social media for children under 16 and proposed fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for social media platforms for systemic breaches.
China’s Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun is under investigation for alleged corruption, the third consecutive PLA minister to face such claims. The probe, part of Xi Jinping's anti-graft campaign, underscores tensions within the military and strained US-China relations.
Peru’s Congress has removed Energy and Mines Minister Romulo Mucho following protests by small-scale miners. They are demanding more time to legalize their work under a government program that is set to expire.
Clashes between security forces and Hindu protesters in Bangladesh led to at least one death after Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on sedition charges. India urged the protection of minorities, emphasizing the need for communal harmony in the region.
During Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov’s official visit to Germany, the two nations signed a series of agreements aimed at deepening cooperation across various fields. The accords span energy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental initiatives, underscoring the growing partnership.
Negotiations at COP29 in Baku face a critical impasse as sharp divisions over climate finance and fossil fuel commitments threaten progress.
"Come up with the video in its full form," demands the COP29 CEO, Elnur Soltanov, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ. The chief executive has broken his silence on the claims he was using his position to organise potential fossil fuel deals.
The United Nations COP29 climate change conference in Baku seeks $1 trillion annually to help vulnerable nations tackle climate change, as political tensions and Argentina’s withdrawal overshadow talks.
China’s Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun is under investigation for alleged corruption, the third consecutive PLA minister to face such claims. The probe, part of Xi Jinping's anti-graft campaign, underscores tensions within the military and strained US-China relations.
Peru’s Congress has removed Energy and Mines Minister Romulo Mucho following protests by small-scale miners. They are demanding more time to legalize their work under a government program that is set to expire.
Clashes between security forces and Hindu protesters in Bangladesh led to at least one death after Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on sedition charges. India urged the protection of minorities, emphasizing the need for communal harmony in the region.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday, offering hope for peace after more than a year of conflict. Brokered by the U.S. and France, the deal aims to end violence that escalated after the Gaza war, though its lasting success remains uncertain.
Denmark is engaged in diplomatic discussions with China following the mysterious damage to two undersea telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea. The incident, which occurred last week, has raised suspicions of sabotage, with attention focusing on a Chinese cargo ship, the Yi Peng 3.
China’s Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun is under investigation for alleged corruption, the third consecutive PLA minister to face such claims. The probe, part of Xi Jinping's anti-graft campaign, underscores tensions within the military and strained US-China relations.
Peru’s Congress has removed Energy and Mines Minister Romulo Mucho following protests by small-scale miners. They are demanding more time to legalize their work under a government program that is set to expire.
Clashes between security forces and Hindu protesters in Bangladesh led to at least one death after Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on sedition charges. India urged the protection of minorities, emphasizing the need for communal harmony in the region.
During Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov’s official visit to Germany, the two nations signed a series of agreements aimed at deepening cooperation across various fields. The accords span energy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental initiatives, underscoring the growing partnership.
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