Australia’s Social Media Ban Draws Musk’s Criticism
Australia’s new social media ban for kids faces backlash from Elon Musk, who warns of broader implications for internet freedom.
Australia Seeks Tougher Social Media Restrictions
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Elon Musk, owner of the social media giant X, has slammed Australia’s latest proposal to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms. Companies could face fines as steep as A$49.5 million ($32 million) for noncompliance with these measures.
Age Verification Sparks Controversy
On Thursday, the centre-left government introduced this bill, which would require platforms to implement age verification. If passed, it would position Australia among the strictest countries regulating social media access for minors.
Musk Warns of Broader Internet Implications
In a post responding to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Musk claimed the policy was “a backdoor strategy to control internet access across Australia.” Musk, a vocal defender of free speech, continues to resist measures he perceives as overly restrictive.
Stringent Policies Compared Internationally
Australia’s approach contrasts with other nations. For example, France has suggested a similar ban for users under 15 but provides allowances for parental permissions. Meanwhile, the U.S. mandates parental consent for data collection involving children under 13.
Rising Tensions Between Musk and Canberra
This is not Musk’s first conflict with Australia’s government. Earlier this year, his criticism of misinformation laws led him to label the government “fascists,” and a legal dispute over content removal orders further fueled tensions.
