Sydney: Elon Musk’s social media platform X has criticised Australia’s proposal to strengthen enforcement of its ban on social media accounts for children under 16, arguing the planned changes would give the country’s internet regulator excessive powers and conflict with US legal principles.
Australia’s landmark legislation, which came into effect in December last year, prohibits children under the age of 16 from holding social media accounts. The law has faced opposition from several US-based technology companies since its introduction.
In a submission to an Australian Senate committee, X stated that the proposed amendments fail to adequately consider procedural fairness, user privacy and the potential impact on online services and Australia’s digital economy.
The company specifically opposed plans to expand the powers of the eSafety Commissioner, including broader authority to demand documents and a proposal to double the maximum financial penalty for non-compliance to A$99 million ($69 million).
X argued the changes could require companies and affiliated entities outside Australia to provide documents, creating conflicts with international legal standards and undermining respect for foreign legal systems.
The dispute adds an international dimension to the debate, with Musk previously describing the Australian social media ban as a ‘backdoor’ attempt to control internet access across the country.
Meanwhile, Australia’s eSafety regulator has argued that its current investigative powers are insufficient. The agency said it relies heavily on information voluntarily provided by technology companies and cannot compel documents from third-party age verification providers, making investigations more difficult.
Industry group DIGI told the Senate inquiry that the regulator already possesses significant enforcement powers and called for greater clarity over who can be required to provide documents.
Google-owned YouTube and TikTok also said there is currently no foolproof method of identifying and preventing underage users from accessing social media platforms.
Australia’s Parliament has not yet approved the proposed legislation to expand enforcement powers.
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