Australian politics live: social media giants accused of ‘potential non-compliance’ with under-16s social media ban | Australia news
Social media platforms investigated for ‘possible incompatibility’
Josh Butler
Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube are being investigated for “possible non-compliance” with the under-16 social media ban; The Albanian government says some systems to weed out underage users are “unacceptable”.
On Tuesday, the eSafety Commission will issue an update on compliance with the social media ban that prohibits those under 16 from having accounts on some of the largest technology platforms.
Guardian Australia understands the report says some of the major tech platforms have been deemed by eSafety to have “unacceptable” systems, with some allowing children to take repeated age assurance tests until they pass, not doing enough to stop banned users simply creating new accounts, and having weak systems for parents and others to report underage users.
eSafety is understood to be investigating possible incompatibilities of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.
Minister of Communications, Anika WellsHe claimed that some platforms subject to the rules were trying to “undermine” the government’s laws.
If eSafety finds that these companies are systematically failing to meet their legal obligations, I expect the commissioner to throw the book at them.
Fines under social media minimum age laws can reach up to $49.5 million.
All platforms covered by our social media minimum age requirement have said they will comply with the law. If these companies want to do business in Australia, they must comply with Australian laws.
important events
Wong calls for de-escalation in Iran
Penny Wong He says the government has “concerns” about whether the ongoing goal of the war is regime change in Iran.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast this morning after the Prime Minister questioned more forcefully the aims of the US remaining in the conflict, Wong said most of the military objectives had already been achieved.
He says:
Clearly, there are many military goals that the President has accomplished in terms of Iran’s air force, Iran’s navy, Iran’s military industrial base, and missile launch capability. If we can see tensions ease and these talks lead to an end to the conflict, we believe that will be a good thing for the global economy, for Australians and certainly for the world.
We are concerned about whether the goal is regime change because we have been saying all along that this is an issue for the Iranian people.
Wong says the war is affecting global energy markets, including the United States.
More than 10,000 Australians returning from Middle East
The number of Australians returning from the Middle East since the start of the war in Iran has exceeded 10 thousand.
The government says 10,372 Australians are currently returning home on 103 direct commercial flights.
There are three more flights scheduled to arrive today; one to Melbourne and two to Sydney.
In his statement this morning, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said: Penny WongHe said the government had called for de-escalation but said the conflict was volatile and could “deteriorate rapidly”.
Given the ongoing uncertainty, Australians should not delay their departure from the region.
Our message is simple: If you can book a flight from the Middle East and it’s safe to get to the airport, get going now while commercial options are available.
Nino Bucci
Albanese supports US alliance but wants clarity from Trump on Iran
Prime minister, Anthony AlbaneseHe says the US war in Iran has not harmed Australia’s alliance with that country, even though it wants the conflict to end or diminish.
Albanese also said he wants president Donald Trump setting “a time frame or clearer target” that reflects the economic damage caused by the conflict.
Speaking to the ABC on Monday night, Albanese said Trump’s goals were valuable but wanted ideas on how the conflict could end and whether they could be met through negotiation rather than escalation.
He said Australia continued to communicate positively with the United States and dismissed a question about whether the conflict could endanger the alliance.
Albanese also agrees that the third of Trump’s goals, regime change, has not been fully met.
I would like to see a time frame or a clearer goal. The President said at the beginning of this conflict that it was about three things.
It was about nuclear weapons and making sure Iran couldn’t have nuclear weapons. Second, we wanted to harm Iran’s abilities to attack its neighbors or aid its proxies in Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and others… but third was regime change.
I want to see a recognition of the economic damage this conflict continues to cause. And I would like to see any goals of what could be achieved through more conflict rather than negotiation. And I want to see the conflict there end or de-escalate.
Social media platforms investigated for ‘possible incompatibility’
Josh Butler
Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube are being investigated for “possible non-compliance” with the under-16 social media ban; The Albanian government says some systems to weed out underage users are “unacceptable”.
On Tuesday, the eSafety Commission will issue an update on compliance with the social media ban that prohibits those under 16 from having accounts on some of the largest technology platforms.
Guardian Australia understands the report says some of the major tech platforms have been deemed by eSafety to have “unacceptable” systems, with some allowing children to take repeated age assurance tests until they pass, not doing enough to stop banned users simply creating new accounts, and having weak systems for parents and others to report underage users.
eSafety is understood to be investigating possible incompatibilities of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.
Minister of Communications, Anika WellsHe claimed that some platforms subject to the rules were trying to “undermine” the government’s laws.
If eSafety finds that these companies are systematically failing to meet their legal obligations, I expect the commissioner to throw the book at them.
Fines under social media minimum age laws can reach up to $49.5 million.
All platforms covered by our social media minimum age requirement have said they will comply with the law. If these companies want to do business in Australia, they must comply with Australian laws.
Krishani Dhanji
Good morning, Krishani Dhanji We are with you for another busy sitting day.
Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube are being investigated for “possible non-compliance” under the social media ban, and the eSafety commissioner is issuing a compliance update today.
More than 10,000 Australians have now returned from the Middle East as the government calls for clarity on the “targets” of the war, the foreign minister says. Penny Wong, He will be doing a media tour this morning.
And the prime minister is facing pressure from some of his favorite musicians to write an open letter to force the government to accept a new gas export tax.
It’s going to be another busy day, so let’s get stuck in!
