On Monday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that social media companies would be mandated to eliminate personal data utilized for the age verification of users. This initiative is part of the government’s assertion of implementing a pioneering ban on individuals under 16 using these services.
Australia is set to implement a trial for an age-verification system that could incorporate biometrics or government-issued identification. This initiative aims to enforce a social media age cut-off, representing some of the most stringent regulations enacted by any nation thus far.
In a statement to parliament on Monday, Albanese emphasized implementing robust privacy measures to safeguard individuals’ personal information. He highlighted a specific mandate that requires data destruction once age verification has been completed.
The proposed legislation is set to affect significant social media platforms, including Meta Platforms’ Instagram and Facebook, Bytedance’s TikTok, Elon Musk’s X, and Snapchat.
Criticism has emerged from notable figures, including Musk, who stated on Friday that the legislation represents a covert effort to regulate internet access for all Australians.
The proposals establish the most stringent age limit any nation imposes, eliminating exemptions for parental consent and pre-existing accounts. Platforms face fines of up to $32 million for failing to comply with the legislation.
The government has announced its intention to pass the bill into law by the conclusion of the parliamentary year on Thursday, expediting the process through the upper and lower houses of parliament.