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What new rules are Meta and TikTok facing in Australia?
Australia has introduced laws requiring social media platforms to deactivate accounts of users under 16 and to improve age verification methods. These measures aim to protect minors from harmful content and ensure safer online environments. Platforms are also expected to better monitor and remove underage accounts, though enforcement remains challenging.
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What are the EU investigations into Meta and TikTok about?
The European Union is investigating Meta and TikTok for transparency issues related to data access, content moderation, and compliance with the Digital Services Act. The EU is concerned about how these platforms handle harmful content, user data, and research access, with potential fines if they fail to meet regulations.
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How are these companies responding to the new regulations?
Meta and TikTok have stated they are working to comply with new laws and investigations. They are updating their age verification systems, increasing transparency about data practices, and improving content moderation. However, critics argue that enforcement and transparency still need significant improvement.
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Will these investigations affect my user experience?
Potentially, yes. Increased regulation could lead to stricter content moderation, more age verification steps, and changes in how data is accessed and shared. While these measures aim to make platforms safer, they might also impact how quickly content is delivered or how easy it is to access certain features.
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Are underage accounts being removed effectively?
Platforms are working to remove underage accounts and improve age verification, but enforcement remains difficult. Circumvention tactics and limited verification methods mean some underage accounts may still slip through, though efforts are ongoing to tighten controls.
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Could these regulations lead to fines or penalties for Meta and TikTok?
Yes. Both the EU and Australian authorities have the power to impose hefty fines if Meta and TikTok fail to comply with new laws and investigation findings. This could motivate platforms to accelerate their compliance efforts but also poses financial risks if they fall short.