Tech billionaire Elon Musk criticized proposed legislation in Australia that would ban social media for children under 16. The bill includes an age-verification system using biometrics or government identification to prevent young teenagers from accessing platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Companies could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars for breaches. Musk, known for advocating free speech, called the legislation a way to control all Australians’ internet access. The US requires parental consent for children under 13 on social media, but Australia’s proposal sets the world’s highest age limit at 16 with no parental consent exemptions.
Musk has previously clashed with the Australian government over tech regulation. In April, he accused them of censorship when X was ordered to remove graphic content of a stabbing attack on a Sydney bishop. The case was later dropped. In September, Musk called the government ‘fascists’ over plans to combat online misinformation. Prime Minister Albanese called Musk an ‘arrogant billionaire who thinks he is above the law’. This latest criticism from Musk is part of an ongoing battle against what he sees as unnecessary or excessive regulation of social media and tech companies by governments.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
