Tech billionaire Elon Musk criticized proposed legislation in Australia that aims to ban social media for children under 16. The legislation would require an age-verification system possibly using biometrics or government identification to prevent children and young teenagers from accessing platforms such as X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Companies could face fines up to 50 million Australian dollars for breaches, making it one of the toughest laws on social media globally.
Musk, known for his stance on free speech, called the legislation a way to control internet access for all Australians. The United States mandates parental consent for data collection from children under 13, but Australia’s proposal sets the highest age limit at 16 with no exemptions, even for parental consent or existing accounts.
This is not the first time Musk has clashed with the Australian government on tech regulation. In April, he accused them of censorship after X was ordered to remove graphic content related to a stabbing attack on a Sydney bishop. Musk has been labeled an “arrogant billionaire” by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has also criticized Musk for calling the Australian government “fascists” over plans to address misinformation online.
Overall, Musk’s criticism suggests concerns about government control over internet access and content moderation, reflecting broader debates over free speech and regulation in the tech industry.
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