Australia probing technology giantsAFP, SYDNEYAustralia is investigating Facebook, TikTok and YouTube for possible breaches of the nation’s under-16 social media ban, accusing the tech companies yesterday of “failing to obey” the world-leading laws. Photo: Reuters“Australia’s world-leading social media laws are not failing, but big tech is failing to obey the laws,” Australian Minister for Communications Anika Wells told reporters. “Australia will not let the social media giants take us for mugs.”Australia’s eSafety Commission flagged “significant concerns” about Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. “If these companies want to do business in Australia, they must obey Australian laws.”Australia is to decide any punishments by the middle of this year. Social media companies bear the sole responsibility for checking that Australia-based users are 16 or older.

Source: Taipei Times April 01, 2026 03:46 UTC