X criticizes Australia teen ban enforcement

Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) has accused Australia of attempting to give its internet regulator, the Australia — ESafety Commissioner, unfair information-gathering powers and undermining U.S. law with plans for tougher enforcement of a teen social media ban. Australia's world-first law barring accounts for under-16s took effect in December 2025, drawing criticism from U.S.-based social media companies. In a submission to an Australian senate committee, X criticized proposed changes that would grant the Australia — ESafety Commissioner wider rights of document discovery and double the maximum fine to A$99 million ($69 million). X argued the changes would compel persons outside Australia to provide information merely because they are affiliated with a company, conflicting with international legal principles. A U.S. congressional committee has asked the Australia — ESafety Commissioner to testify, accusing her of imperiling American free speech. Musk himself called the ban a 'backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians.' Data shows most Australian teenagers under 16 still have social media accounts. eSafety is preparing a potential enforcement lawsuit against five platforms but is slowed by limited powers. Parliament has yet to pass the bill; the senate committee will deliver findings on August 25.