Australia to Take Five Tech Giants to Court over Under-16 Social Media Ban

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner launched an investigation into the five platforms in March over concerns that they had failed to implement effective measures to prevent underage users from maintaining accounts. The government has also expanded the regulator’s investigative powers, enabling Commissioner Julie Inman Grant to demand documents from companies and summon current or former employees for questioning. Wells said these powers would help the regulator gather evidence and prepare its case before the Federal Court.

An eSafety report published in July reportedly found that the platforms’ age-verification measures were ineffective, allowing underage users to retain existing accounts and create new ones. Australia introduced its under-16 social media restrictions in December 2025, becoming the first country to implement such a nationwide ban. Platforms found in violation of the legislation face potential penalties of up to AUD 49.5 million per breach.