Meta has removed over 756,000 Australian accounts suspected of belonging to kids under 16—deactivating 462,000 Instagram and 294,000 Facebook profiles between December and June—to comply with Australia's landmark youth social media ban.
- Detection Methods: Meta uses AI to scan profiles for age clues like school grades or birthday posts, alongside photo-based age estimation tools, and blocks repeated setup attempts after removal.
- Government Pushback: Australian officials report over 80% of under-16s remained active on social platforms during the ban's first three months, accusing tech giants of failing to enforce the law.
- Rising Penalties: Australia plans to double non-compliance fines to A$99 million ($69.75 million) as executives from Meta, TikTok, Google, and Snap prepare to testify before a parliamentary inquiry.
