The Australian government announced it will double the maximum penalty for social media companies that violate its minimum age law for users under 16. The new fine could reach 99 million Australian dollars. Officials are also expanding enforcement powers for the country's eSafety Commissioner.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the change reflects the seriousness of compliance failures by social media firms. "It's clear Big Tech are not doing enough to comply with the law," he stated in a press release.
The updated rules allow the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Grant, to require companies to provide evidence of their efforts to block accounts for children under 16. The agency can now collect data from third parties such as age verification services and app stores.
Investigations into potential non-compliance continue with Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. The government noted that more than five million under-16 accounts have been removed or restricted since the ban took effect in December.
Separate studies have questioned the ban's reach. One poll found 61 percent of children aged 12 to 15 still accessed social media, while another report estimated more than 85 percent of Australian teens under 16 remain active on the platforms.
