Australian lawmakers moved a step closer to banning under 16s from social media platforms Wednesday, threatening companies that fail to comply with multimillion-dollar fines.
The landmark legislation passed parliament’s lower chamber Wednesday and is now set to be debated by the Senate.
The new rules would mean the likes of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat have to take “reasonable steps” to prevent young teens from having accounts.
Social media firms—who could face fines of up to Aus$50 million (US$32.5 million) for failing to impose the ban—have described the laws as “vague”, “problematic” and “rushed”.
The leaders of all eight Australian states and mainland territories have unanimously backed the plan, although Tasmania, the smallest state, would have preferred the threshold was set at 14.
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Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media. That leaves it up to the Senate to finalise the world-first law.
Also » Le Monde / Al Jazeera / VoA