Australia to Implement Strict Age Verification Laws for Social Media
Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, announced on Monday that social media companies will be required to destroy personal data used to verify the ages of users, as part of a landmark move to prevent under-16s from using these platforms. This age-verification system, which may include biometrics or government identification, is set to be one of the strictest age controls imposed by any nation.
Albanese emphasized that the law would include stringent privacy protections, ensuring that personal data collected during age verification would be destroyed once the user’s age is confirmed. This new legislation will affect major social media platforms such as Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, Bytedance’s TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) under Elon Musk, and Snapchat.
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The proposed legislation has faced criticism from figures like Musk, who argued that it was an indirect attempt to control internet access for all Australians. Despite opposition, the government plans to fast-track the bill through parliament, with hopes to have it enacted by the end of the parliamentary year.
If passed, these laws will introduce the highest age limit of any country for social media usage, with no exemptions for parental consent or pre-existing accounts. Platforms that fail to comply could face fines of up to $32 million.
