Tech Giants Prepare to Deactivate 1.5 Million Accounts as Teen Online Safety Law Takes Effect
CANBERRA – Major tech companies including Meta, YouTube, tiktok, threads and X are preparing to deactivate approximately 1.5 million accounts in under two months as a new Australian law aimed at bolstering online safety for young people comes into effect. While platforms acknowledge the ban on users aged 16 and under, Meta has cautioned that fully complying with the new rules presents notable technological challenges.
The legislation places the obligation on companies to “detect and deactivate or remove” accounts belonging to underage users. However, Meta’s regional director of policy, Mia Garlick, explained that distinguishing between users aged 13 and 16 is “inherently less reliable” given current age estimation technologies, which are primarily designed to identify 13 and 18-year-olds.
Despite potential difficulties in enforcement, the law stipulates fines of up to $50 million for platforms that fail to take “reasonable steps” toward compliance. crucially, the legislation includes a provision protecting young people and their families from penalties if they are able to access the platforms.
The move follows swift action against the app OmeTV, which was removed from Apple and Google app stores this week after concerns were raised about its use by predators to groom and sexually exploit Australian children. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stated the app “randomly pairs young children – with pedophiles,” and that it “will no longer be able to reach Australians and they will no longer be able to make money off children’s misery.” OmeTV’s Portugal-based parent company,Bad Kitty’s Dad,LDA,had not implemented requested safety measures for Australian children.
The developments come amid scrutiny from Australian lawmakers,with greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young previously threatening to compel executives from TikTok,Snapchat and Meta to appear before an inquiry into online safety following their absence from an earlier hearing.
