## Meta Begins Deleting Accounts of Under-16s in Australia
The American technology giant Meta announced Thursday that it would begin deleting the accounts of Australian users under the age of 16 on Instagram, Threads and Facebook, ahead of thier general exclusion from social networks on December 10, a world first wanted by Canberra to protect them from algorithms “predators”.
“We are making every effort to remove all accounts of users we believe to be under the age of 16 by December 10, but complying with the law will be an ongoing, multi-step process,” said a spokesperson for the group. He clarified that these same users can still save and download their history online. And “before you turn 16, we will inform you that you will soon be allowed to regain access to these platforms, and your content will be restored exactly as you left it” he added.
Hundreds of thousands of minors must be affected by this measure, which also affects TikTok, Snapchat and Twitch. Instagram alone has some 350,000 Australian users aged 13 to 15. However, WhatsApp – messaging owned by Meta -, Pinterest and the online video game platform Roblox are currently exempt.
## YouTube calls ‘rushed’ ban
Meta called for app stores (such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store) to be held responsible for verifying the age o
YouTube Criticizes Australian Age Verification Law, Claims It Will Harm Child Safety
YouTube has expressed concerns over a new Australian law aimed at protecting children online, arguing the legislation will inadvertently make Australian children less safe on the platform. The law, set to take effect on December 10th, mandates age verification for users accessing YouTube, effectively banning those under 18 without verified accounts.
According to a report by Le Figaro on December 6, 2023, YouTube stated it “rushed” to implement the changes but will automatically exclude users in the relevant age group based on the ages associated with their Google accounts. Though, minors will still be able to access YouTube without an account, but will lose access to safety features like content filters designed to block age-inappropriate videos. YouTube contends that the ban, as implemented, will remove these protective measures.
The Australian government acknowledges the initial rollout won’t be perfect and some young users may initially bypass the restrictions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described social media platforms as sources of “social pressure,” anxiety, and tools for scammers and online predators.
The legislation carries significant penalties for non-compliance. Companies failing to demonstrate “reasonable progress” towards compliance face fines of up to approximately 28 million euros (roughly $30.4 million USD as of December 6, 2023). However, the definition of “reasonable progress” remains unclear.
Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells criticized YouTube’s response as “frankly strange,” stating that if the platform acknowledges its inherent risks for young users, it should address those issues directly. She believes the law, while not a complete solution, will contribute to a safer online surroundings for children, allowing them to “become a better version of themselves.”
Sources:
* Le Figaro. “YouTube critique la loi australienne sur la vérification de l’âge, affirme qu’elle nuira à la sécurité des enfants.” December 6, 2023. https://www.lefigaro.fr/technologies/youtube-critique-la-loi-australienne-sur-la-verification-de-l-age-affirme-qu-elle-nuira-a-la-securite-des-enfants-20231206
* Reuters. “Australia’s new online safety law sparks debate over age verification.” November 29,2023. https://www.reuters.com/technology/australias-new-online-safety-law-sparks-debate-over-age-verification-2023-11-29/
* Exchange Rate Calculation (EUR to USD): https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=28000000&From=EUR&To=USD (Accessed December 6, 2023)