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Australia doubles the maximum penalty for its social media ban
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Australia doubles the maximum penalty for its social media ban

Engadget · Jun 28, 2026, 5:00 PM · Also reported by 4 other sources

Key takeaways

  • The fine can now potentially hit 99 million AUD, or $68 million.
  • Matt Cardy/Getty Images After becoming the first in the world to implement a social media ban for those under 16, Australia isn't doubling down.
  • "It's clear big tech are not doing enough to comply with the law," Anthony Albanese, the country's prime minister, said.

The fine can now potentially hit 99 million AUD, or $68 million.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images After becoming the first in the world to implement a social media ban for those under 16, Australia isn't doubling down. In a press release, the Australian government announced that it will double the maximum penalty for any social media companies breaking its minimum age law, from 49.5 million to 99 million AUD, or more than $68 million.

"It's clear big tech are not doing enough to comply with the law," Anthony Albanese, the country's prime minister, said. "These changes reflect the seriousness with which we take any failure by social media companies to comply with our world-leading law."

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