Australia’s House of Representatives passed a groundbreaking bill on Wednesday aiming to ban social media use for children under 16. The bill, supported by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government and the opposition, introduces strict measures requiring platforms to implement age-verification systems. Companies could face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for breaches. The Senate will debate the bill next, with Albanese pushing for its approval before the year ends.
The law follows an emotional inquiry that highlighted cyberbullying’s devastating effects, including testimony from parents of children who self-harmed. While advocates argue the ban will protect young people’s mental health, critics, including youth groups and human rights organisations, warn it risks cutting off teens from vital social connections. Tech giants like Google, Meta, and TikTok have urged the government to delay the legislation until a proposed age-verification trial concludes in 2025.
Despite these concerns, public opinion overwhelmingly supports the ban, with recent polls showing 77% approval. Parent advocacy groups have praised the initiative as a critical step in addressing the negative impacts of social media on children. However, critics within parliament and civil rights groups have called for more nuanced solutions, emphasising the importance of balancing protection with privacy and self-expression rights.
If passed, Australia will become a global leader in stringent social media regulations, but the debate over how best to safeguard young users while respecting their freedoms is far from over.
Google and Meta are urging the Australian government to delay a proposed law that would prohibit social media use for children under 16, citing insufficient time to evaluate its potential effects. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government aims to pass the bill, which includes some of the strictest child social media controls globally, before the parliamentary year ends on Thursday. However, critics argue the rushed timeline undermines thorough debate and expert input.
The bill mandates social media platforms, not parents or children, to implement age-verification systems, potentially involving biometrics or government IDs. Platforms failing to comply could face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million ($32 million). While the Liberal opposition is likely to support the legislation, some independents and tech companies like TikTok and Elon Musk’s X have raised concerns about its clarity and impact on human rights, including freedom of expression and access to information.
Tech companies argue the government should wait for the results of an age-verification trial before proceeding. TikTok called the bill rushed and poorly consulted, while Meta described it as “inconsistent and ineffective.” Meanwhile, Elon Musk criticised the bill as a potential tool for broader internet control, amplifying debates over balancing child safety with digital freedoms.
As a Senate committee prepares a report on the legislation, the controversy underscores the global challenge of regulating children’s online activity without infringing on broader rights.
A United States federal appeals court is set to rule by 6 December on whether ByteDance, TikTok‘s Chinese parent company, must divest its US operations or face a ban. The ruling will address national security concerns raised by the Justice Department, which alleges that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses risks due to access to vast American user data. ByteDance has challenged the law as unconstitutional, arguing it unfairly targets TikTok and violates free speech.
The three-judge panel could uphold the law, leading to a likely appeal by ByteDance. Alternatively, the court might allow the law but criticise its fairness, requiring further certification of TikTok as a security risk. A ruling deeming the law unconstitutional could halt efforts to force ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US assets. Any outcome may result in further legal battles, including an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The case underscores tensions between US national security priorities and free market principles, with over 170 million Americans actively using TikTok. The final decision could shape the future of tech regulation and US-China relations.
Meta has proposed a unified system for age verification and safety standards across the EU to better protect teenagers online. The plan includes requiring parental approval for app downloads by users under 16, with app stores notifying parents for consent. Meta also advocates for consistent age-appropriate content guidelines and supervision tools for teens that parents can manage.
The proposal follows calls from incoming EU technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen, who emphasised protecting minors as a priority. Meta’s global head of safety, Antigone Davis, highlighted the fragmented nature of current European regulations, urging the adoption of uniform rules to ensure better protections for teens.
Although some EU frameworks like the Digital Services Act and Audiovisual Media Services Directive touch on youth safety, the lack of EU-wide standards leaves much to member states. Meta’s proposal aligns with ongoing discussions around the Child Sexual Abuse Material regulation, which aims to enhance online protections for minors.
IMAX is adopting AI technology to bring its original content to more global audiences. The company has partnered with Dubai-based Camb.ai to use advanced speech and translation models for content localisation. With non-English content growing in popularity, including in English-speaking markets, the initiative aims to increase accessibility and reduce costs.
Camb.ai’s AI platform, DubStudio, supports over 140 languages, including lesser-known ones. Its specialised models, Boli and Mars, ensure accurate text-to-speech translations while preserving nuances like background audio and tone. The startup’s technology has been previously deployed for live events like the Australian Open and Eurovision Sport, showcasing its ability to handle high-pressure scenarios.
IMAX plans a phased rollout of the AI localisation, starting with widely spoken languages. Early tests of Camb.ai’s technology on IMAX’s original documentaries proved promising. The company expects the collaboration to reduce translation expenses while boosting the global appeal of its immersive experiences.
Camb.ai, founded by former Apple engineer Akshat Prakash and his father, recently raised $4 million and is securing additional funding to expand its team and operations. The startup avoids controversial data scraping methods, relying instead on ethically licensed datasets and input from early partners, positioning itself as a reliable choice for AI-driven content solutions.
A Brighton tradesman lost £75,000 to a fake bitcoin scheme that used a deepfake video of Martin Lewis and Elon Musk. The kitchen fitter, Des Healey, shared his experience on BBC Radio 5 Live, revealing how AI manipulated Martin’s voice and image to create a convincing endorsement. Des admitted he was lured by the promise of quick returns but later realised the devastating scam had emptied his life savings and forced him into debt.
He explained that the fraudsters, posing as financial experts, gained his trust through personalised calls and apparent success in his fake investment account. Encouraged to invest more, he took out £70,000 in loans across four lenders. Only when his son raised concerns about suspicious details, such as background music on calls, did Des begin to suspect foul play and approach the police.
Martin Lewis, Britain’s most impersonated celebrity in scams, described meeting Des as emotionally challenging. He commended Des for bravely sharing his ordeal to warn others. Martin emphasised that scams prey on urgency and secrecy, urging people to pause and verify before sharing personal or financial details.
Although two banks cancelled loans taken by Des, he still owes £26,000 including interest. Des expressed gratitude for the chance to warn others and praised Martin Lewis for his continued efforts to fight fraud. Meanwhile, Revolut reaffirmed its commitment to combating cybercrime, acknowledging the challenges posed by sophisticated scammers.
Australia’s government has abandoned a proposal to fine social media platforms up to 5% of their global revenue for failing to curb online misinformation. The decision follows resistance from various political parties, making the legislation unlikely to pass the Senate.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland stated the proposal aimed to enhance transparency and hold tech companies accountable for limiting harmful misinformation online. Despite broad public support for tackling misinformation, opposition from conservative and crossbench politicians stalled the plan.
The centre-left Labor government, currently lagging in polls, faces criticism for its approach. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young described the proposed law as a ‘half-baked option,’ adding to calls for more robust measures against misinformation.
Industry group DIGI, including Meta, argued the proposal merely reinforced an existing code. Australia’s tech regulation efforts are part of broader concerns about foreign platforms undermining national sovereignty.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew recently sought advice from Elon Musk regarding matters tied to the upcoming US administration, according to reports. Chew engaged Musk in discussions about potential policies and their impact on the tech industry.
No specific actions to ensure TikTok’s operations in the US have been confirmed, though ByteDance leadership remains optimistic about maintaining its presence. Reports suggest the company has kept senior executives informed of the talks while exploring various strategic options.
ByteDance reportedly engaged with figures connected to both Trump and Kamala Harris before the US elections to gauge perspectives. These efforts reflect a cautious approach to navigating potential shifts in policy.
Trump, who unsuccessfully attempted to ban TikTok in 2020, has stated he would not support barring the platform if re-elected. The evolving political landscape underscores the stakes for ByteDance and its flagship app in the US.
The European Commission has closed its antitrust investigation into Apple’s e-book and audiobook practices after the original complaint was withdrawn, TechCrunch reported. The probe, launched in 2020, examined Apple’s in-app payment rules and its restrictions on third-party developers informing users about alternative payment methods.
This inquiry followed a similar case involving music-streaming apps, which led to a $2 billion fine against Apple earlier this year after Spotify alleged unfair competition. Despite the closure of the e-book case, the Commission clarified that this does not mean Apple’s practices comply with EU competition laws.
The investigation’s conclusion underscores the EU’s ongoing efforts to regulate tech giants and ensure a fair digital marketplace, with Apple remaining a focal point of scrutiny.
Brave Search has unveiled an AI-powered chat feature that lets users ask follow-up questions to refine their initial search queries. This addition builds on Brave’s earlier ‘Answer with AI’ tool, which generates quick summaries for search queries. Now, users can engage further with a chat bar that appears beneath the summary, enabling deeper exploration without starting a new search.
For instance, a search for ‘Christopher Nolan films’ will provide an AI-generated list of his notable works. Users can then ask a follow-up question, such as “Which actors appear most in his films?” The AI will respond with relevant information while citing its sources. Powered by a mix of open and proprietary large language models, the feature seamlessly integrates search and chat for a more versatile user experience.
Unlike Google, which offers AI summaries but lacks a follow-up chat option, Brave is bridging the gap between search engines and chatbots. Brave also emphasizes privacy, ensuring that queries are not stored or used to profile users. With over 36M daily searches and 11M AI responses generated daily, Brave is advancing its commitment to private, user-friendly innovation.
