Overview

• Google informed Communications Minister Anika Wells it would consider a High Court challenge if YouTube is classified as a social media service under the under-16 account ban, citing a threat to Australia’s implied constitutional freedom of political communication.
• eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has urged the government to revoke YouTube’s exemption, pointing to research that nearly 40% of children report exposure to harmful content on the platform.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed the decision will be made independently of corporate pressure and emphasized the necessity of the ban to safeguard young Australians’ mental health.
• Anika Wells has yet to announce the final list of platforms covered by the pioneering law, with YouTube’s status remaining the key outstanding decision ahead of December enforcement.
• Under the law due in December, major social media services must verify users’ ages and face fines of up to A$50 million for failing to prevent under-16s from holding accounts.