Launched in December last year, the ban prohibits platforms from allowing users under 16 from creating and operating accounts on social media, placing the responsibility of policing and mitigating the accounts on social media giants.
Currently, breaches can be fined as much as $49.5 million; however, the government plans to double the penalty to $99 million.
“Australia is leading the world in our efforts to keep kids and young people safe online,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with Australia having removed 5 million under-16 accounts since the ban was introduced.
“I’m heartened by the shift in conversation and the global momentum we’ve seen, but it is clear big tech is not doing enough to comply with the law – there are still too many children on social media.
“These changes reflect the seriousness with which we take any failure by social media companies to comply with our world-leading law.”
eSafety Commissioner also granted wider powers
eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant, whose office oversees the social media ban, is also getting greater powers to enforce it.
The new powers will allow the commissioner to push firms to provide evidence of their measures to prevent under-16s from using their platforms.
The eSafety Commissioner will thus have more information about what social media platforms are doing, as well as third parties and more.
“These changes will provide the commissioner with more detailed information on what platforms are doing – or not doing – to comply with the social media minimum age law, supporting more effective investigation and potential enforcement action,” a release on the Prime Minister’s website said.
Like Albanese, Communications Minister Anika Wells said tech companies are not yet doing enough.
“Based on regular updates I receive from the eSafety Commissioner, it is clear to me that social media platforms are adopting tricks straight out of the big tech playbook and doing the bare minimum to get by,” she said.
“In response, I am making sure the regulator has stronger tools to get the job done and doubling the fines for noncompliance.
“These tough new penalties and powers show we will not back down. Instead, we are doubling down.”
Currently, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram are under investigation for potential noncompliance.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?Make Cyber Daily a preferred news source on Google.
