Social media firms criticise ‘irrational’ exemption of YouTube from Australia’s under-16s ban

Meta, TikTok and Snapchat release statements in campaign protesting Labor's handling of contested legislation

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Meta, TikTok and Snapchat have criticised the Albanese government's handling of the social media ban for under-16s, launching a campaign against what they have labelled an irrational" and shortsighted" decision to exempt YouTube from the contested legislation.

The three tech platforms made submissions to a government consultation process on the ban - rushed through parliament at the end of 2024 with little inquiry - calling for a re-evaluation of Labor's approach and demanding YouTube be subject to the same restrictions they will be.

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