Source : Perth Now news
Social media companies failing to enforce Australia’s ban on kids could face whopping $99m fines after plans to double penalties were unveiled.
The Albanese government has announced tougher penalties for social media firms found not to be preventing under 16s from creating and running profiles.
Currently, those who fall foul of the ban can be fined up to $49.5m, following the new law coming into force on December 10 last year.
However, the government has now announced it will be doubling the maximum penalty and rolling out greater powers for online safety watchdogs to hold firms to account.
Since the introduction last year, more than five million accounts belonging to under 16s have been wiped out in Australia – but the government says more needs to be done.
“Australia is leading the world in our efforts to keep kids and young people safe online,” said Anthony Albanese.
“I’m heartened by the shift in conversation and the global momentum we’ve seen, but it is clear big tech are not doing enough to comply with the law – there are still too many children on social media.
“These changes reflect the seriousness with which we take any failure by social media companies to comply with our world-leading law.”
On top of the tougher fines, the government is also introducing measures to allow the eSafety Commissioner to compel firms to produce evidence of what they have done to prevent under 16s from avoiding the ban.
Currently Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube are also being investigated for potential noncompliance.
Communications minister Anika Wells said she was not convinced tech companies were doing enough.
“Based on regular updates I receive from the eSafety Commissioner, it is clear to me that social media platforms are adopting tricks straight out of the big tech playbook and doing the bare minimum to get by,” she said.
“In response, I am making sure the regulator has stronger tools to get the job done and doubling the fines for noncompliance.
“These touch new penalties and powers show we will not back down. Instead, we are doubling down.”
